The Parental Leave Playbook

Support your growing family without losing professional ground—a proven approach The Parental Leave Playbook helps parents take control of their leave and make the most of what's considered a career timeout, but is actually a vital "time-in" for your life. If you're an expecting or new parent concerned about how your leave and return plans will affect your visibility, candidacy for promotion, work relationships, and performance (not to mention your identity and home life), this book will guide you into the smoothest transition possible. Most importantly, this book will help you as you grow and strengthen yourself and your family while remaining a professional. In The Parental Leave Playbook, you'll learn Dr. Amy Beacom's innovative R.E.T.A.I.N. framework and the three-phase, ten-touchpoint model, to coach yourself through the leave process. Beacom identifies the critical points before, during, and after leave where parents and managers must work together, and explains how parents can facilitate success by finessing the way they approach their manager and colleagues. These models are supported by case studies from the author's work in the field with leading organizations like Microsoft, and supplemented by resources such as the evidence-based Parental Leave Transition Assessment (PLTA) sample report, leave action plan templates, reflection prompts, and development exercises to enhance self-awareness and skills. You'll learn how to: Communicate your parental leave plans effectively and at the right time Set expectations with managers and colleagues to ensure a smooth transition Learn how to maintain visibility, avoid being replaced, and continue your upward career trajectory during your parental leave and beyond Grow and strengthen your family without sacrificing your professional gains All working parents-to-be can benefit from the ideas and proven tools in this direct and practical book.

Author’s Note ix Introduction xiii Chapter 1 Parental Leave Is a Mess— Let’s Fix It! 1 Chapter 2 The 10A Transition Touchpoints Framework 13 Phase One Preparing for Leave: Work Focus 31 Chapter 3 Phase 1: Preparing for Leave Overview 33 Chapter 4 Touchpoint 1: Announcement 39 Chapter 5 Touchpoint 2: Assess 51 Chapter 6 Touchpoint 3: Action Plan 67 Chapter 7 Touchpoint 4: Acknowledge the Transition to Parenthood 97 Phase Two During Leave: Parent Focus 109 Chapter 8 Phase 2: During Leave Overview 111 Chapter 9 Touchpoint 5: Appropriately Keep in Touch 115 Chapter 10 Touchpoint 6: Advocate 125 Chapter 11 Touchpoint 7: Arrangements for Return 143 Phase Three Returning from Leave: Working Parent Focus 155 Chapter 12 Phase 3: Returning from Leave Overview 157 Chapter 13 Touchpoint 8: Acknowledge the Transition to Working Parent 163 Chapter 14 Touchpoint 9: Adjustment 171 Chapter 15 Touchpoint 10: Access to Career Development 189 Rounding Out the Human Experience 205 Chapter 16 Additional Challenges and Resources 207 Appendix 1: Values Exercise List 219 Appendix 2: Free Resources from the Center for Parental Leave Leadership 221 Appendix 3: An Emerging Working Parent Support Ecosystem 223 Appendix 4: Recommended Reading 233 Endnotes and General References 237 Acknowledgments 253 About the Authors 257 Index 259