Maternity Leave: Return to Work,
Transition Phase
Note: This page is an Appendix of the Max Maternity Leave
Proposal Template & Negotiation Guide. Don't have it ?
Download your free copy.
The following is suggested language to use in the optional section of your
proposal labeled Return to Work:
Transition Phase, if you plan to propose one.
Scenario 1: Youre eligible for 12 weeks of leave under the Family &
Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but you cant afford the unpaid weeks that remain
after your paid time off runs out. However, you can afford to work part-time,
temporarily, before returning to a full-time schedule.
With the 12 weeks of leave time allowed under FMLA, I am eligible for a
return-to-work date of [date]. Instead, I propose restructuring my leave time to
allow a sooner yet gradual return-to-work plan.
With this approach, I would return to work on [date] and, as allowed by law
under FMLA, I would work a reduced leave schedule*. With your agreement,
a reduced leave schedule provides a creative solution for addressing both my
work responsibilities and my outside responsibilities. [The omission of the
words home, family, baby, maternity, etc., is an intentional positioning
of the proposal as a business document.]
With these mutual goals in mind, I propose the following transition work
schedule:
Week one [#]: [outline part-time schedule]
Weeks [#] [#]: [outline part-time schedule]
I plan to resume my regular, full-time schedule on [date].
*How to Work Part-time Under FMLA, explains the reduced
leave schedule.
Scenario 2: Your small-sized employer doesnt fall under FMLA or state
law requirements, yet has a maternity or disability leave policy that allows
only six weeks of leave. Or maybe your employer has no policy but has agreed to
give you some number of weeks of partially-paid leave. Your family budget still
requires full-time work in the long-term, however you can afford to work
part-time, temporarily, before returning to a full-time schedule.
I propose a creative solution and workable compromise between the [minimal
leave of] six weeks allowed and the longer period of time required to establish
a healthy foundation related to my new responsibilities outside of work.
Specifically, upon my return-to-work date of [date] I am requesting a temporary,
reduced workweek of [outline the part-time schedule] for [#] weeks. My regular
full-time schedule would then resume on [date].
Additional Reading: Don't Get Personal!
Scenario 3: Regardless of your FMLA eligibility or length of leave, your
desired plan to return to work full-time includes a temporary transition
phase of performing some of your duties from home. Note: If you prefer
long-term (not temporary) telecommuting, omit this Return to Work:
Transition Phase and go to
Return to Work: Long-Term Plan.
To coincide with the anticipated return to my regular full-time work
schedule on [projected date], I propose that some of my duties be performed
off-site for a limited period.
With a focus on productivity rather than job location, such an arrangement is
compatible with my demonstrated abilities to work independently, manage my time
and workload, and solve problems with minimal supervision.
I am technically proficient and equipped to perform the following duties from
my home office [#] days a week for [#] weeks:
- [bulleted list of job functions you can perform at your home office]
I have tested and planned to use secure remote access technology when
necessary to access my work files.
The temporary off-site arrangement would end on or about [date] and I would
continue my full-time schedule at the main office.
Additional Reading: Redesign Your Job to
Telecommuting Go to Return to Work: Long-Term Plan
Return to Maternity Leave Articles Index
Do you need help with your transition plan?
Visit Maternity Leave Mentor for advice by phone.
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