Keeping in touch with the office during maternity leave

oywiththepoodlesalready

Is anyone planning to keep in contact with your office during maternity leave? I was initially thinking that I would go off the radar for 12 weeks and forget that work exists. I'm now wondering if that is a bad idea and if I should be planning to stay in communication or have a few check in calls during leave. I work for a large company but my department is 3 people, me, my boss (who's primary job is not to run my department, more just general oversight) and one co-worker who is leaving at the end of December when I'm still out of leave.

What do you plan to do? For STM, how did you make sure that work wasn't a mess when you got back?

VioletandRose

I work for a large company too, but there are a few policies in place. We have to contact our boss (as a formality) when we transfer from "medical leave" to "baby bonding" (about halfway through). I was also planning on bringing the baby into the office at some point, since my OB is in the same building as my work, and also for our holiday party. Other than that, I'll just tell them that they are free to email me while I'm out if there is a problem.

bbiutmcph

I returned to work with my first two kids. (same job site different positions)

With my first I was in sales management.  I was open from the get go and started planning/training the girl who would cover my territory while I was out.  I did contact her periodically just to check in and we met for lunch once mainly because I wanted to make sure she wasn't running for the hills.

With my second I was in administration and my fill in did email me periodically with emails that didn't need to be replied to but were more of a heads up.  BTW this issue was taken care of but wanted you aware etc.

Overall I think it depends on your relationship and your job. Some jobs are VERY against "work contact related issues" while on leave.  Some are more flexible.  It's also a fine line because you can easily get sucked back in and end up actually working when that is the opposite of what you should be doing.  I personally in both situations told them that while I was in no way going to work I would keep my email/voicemail open for concerns or an ear if needed.   I had a close relationship with the other managers even outside work so it wasn't odd to talk to them during my time off as we did things socially as well.  

I think checking to make sure there aren't policies against it is smart and if it makes you feel more comfortable exchanging a couple emails, do it.  

Sbrouwer0706

Check with HR about their policy. At my company you are not supposed to contact anyone at work for anything work related during your leave. My coworkers and superiors could actually get written up for talking to me about anything work related while I am on maternity leave. If I have anything I need to discuss that has to do with work I am to contact HR directly. They do allow us to bring in the baby to show everyone if we are comfortable with it but they do not want anyone talking business with us as long as we are on leave. It sounds kind of strange but the policy is in place so we get the full time off and don't accidentally work when we are supposed to be enjoying our leave. 

oywiththepoodlesalready

Good advice to check on policy, I will be using sick/vacation time for 11 weeks and then taking the last week unpaid. I should find out if I can plan on a couple half days to catch up with my boss and make sure the ship is staying afloat.

heytallmama

There's no policy regarding communication during leave in my office, and so I plan on going ghost for my 12 weeks. I've asked that they contact me on my personal email for any changes that would impact my job (staffing changes, org-wide policies, etc.), but to otherwise not to expect to hear from me until I return.

I also plan on going in once to show off the babe, and I'm good friends with several coworkers that will keep me in the loop on all other topics so I won't feel so totally disconnected.

swcm

The only things I'm planning to do as of now are:

1) Email a photo of the baby once he's born, just to share with co-workers (this is the typical thing people in my office do).

2) Before I leave I will see if my boss wants my cell phone # in case some question comes up, they can contact me that way, I won't be contacting them or checking emails at all. (I highly doubt they will contact me, if I thought they'd be bugging me all the time I wouldn't offer!)

3) A couple weeks before I return I will probably email to check-in and confirm the date I plan to return.

There is really no benefit for me to checking in on things. My boss and co-workers are expected to deal with anything that comes up, and I will try to close out any small projects I have or leave notes about on-going projects that others will need to carry on while I'm out.

laceyjaep

My job for 12 weeks is to bond with and take care of my son. Their job is to cover my position for those 12 weeks. I won't be checking in.