Coaches provide practical support for parents before, during, and after leave by:

– Reviewing pertinent leave policies and benefits
– Guiding parents on how to work with their managers and co-workers to develop a plan to transition their work to others ahead of the leave and lay the groundwork for a smooth re-entry to the workplace
– Discussing practical aspects of return-to-work, including securing child care, breastfeeding choices, and time-management strategies
– Relating common issues experienced by new parents, like caregiving concerns and feelings of guilt related to returning to work
– Discussing common leave challenges and potential solutions
– Helping managers develop a custom, return-to-work strategy based on an employee’s or team’s unique needs

The Benefits of New Parent Return-to-Work Solutions

Return-to-work programs for moms and new parents can take a lot of stress out of the transition back to the office. This is true for employers as well as employees, thanks to the numerous benefits of these solutions. Return-to-work programs help new parents and their co-workers in many ways, including:

• Providing flexibility — By allowing mothers to take breaks for breastfeeding and enabling them to adjust their schedules as needed, these initiatives can make it easier to settle back into a work environment.
• Easing stress — Perhaps the most important maternity advice for employers is to allow new parents to gently re-integrate back into the workplace, rather than asking them to dive back in with both feet. This helps new parents stay focused and be more productive as they get used to working once again.
• Creating stronger bonds — When parents can balance their new responsibilities with work, they can create stronger connections with their children. This can help prevent resentment toward their jobs and could lead to higher levels of satisfaction with their employers.
• Coaching and advice — One important element of many maternity leave support programs is providing career coaching and advice for anyone about to go on leave or return from it. This ensures employees remain focused on their career goals and learn how they still can achieve them even after the birth of a child.