Language for Return to Work Letter - Requesting to not Travel

GreenMonkey1

I return to work later this month and am sending an email to my boss & direct supervisor regarding scheduling issues for when I return.  Both are male and neither has any experience with a working mom/maternity leave/etc.  I want to get everything on paper so that we're all on the same page and everything runs smoothly.  Thankfully my boss is a father, however, he just moved to the States so his knowledge of US employment law is largely nonexistent.  We have a great personal and professional relationship - I want to keep it that way because I do very much like and respect him.

What I need help phrasing - I usually travel internationally every six months.  The last trip I missed because I was on maternity leave and the next trip would be in January.  I do not want to travel - I'm usually gone 10 days to 2-weeks and that would be really difficult with breastfeeding.  It would not be a hardship for my office if I do not travel - there are tons of other people who could go and who would probably want to go.  In fact, if they don't send anybody the office could save several thousands of dollars.

I am drawing a blank on how to write this request professionally - any advice?

Lahardy96

If you have a good relationship with your boss, I suggest starting with a conversation as opposed to the letter, and then you can formalize what you agree to in a letter. Last time I was on maternity leave I had a meeting with my boss about two weeks before I went back to discuss various expectations and requests about my return, including travel. My travel isn't as consistently scheduled, but generally 3-5 times a year. I just explained that nursing is a priority to me and that it is very difficult to keep up with extended travel and that unless there were urgent reasons I had to be the one to travel, I was asking to delay any extended trips for the next 6-9 months. He, like your boss, is a father and was understanding and supportive, as was his boss who I work directly with as well. I was able to avoid more than overnight trips for 9 months, so got me through a year.

daisy662

You don't mention what you do or why you travel, but if travel is in your job description and is an expectation of your position, you are likely out of luck. It will be unlikely that any employer would put in writing that you will never have to travel. I am an HR Exec and I personally travel for my job 2-3 weeks each month and although when I get back from mat leave, I won't want to travel as much, it is my job and my options are to travel or find another job. Especially if you only travel a few times a year - I would think you would be best served to suck it up and go. I do agree with pp that this is a conversation best had face to face to discuss your options - but don't be surprised if they tell you that you are out of luck. Good luck!

1026pumpkin

Since it doesn't sound like the trip is critical for your position, I'd tell your boss that you would appreciate not having to travel until whatever date.  If your boss is really insistent that you go, you could probably swing it if you start building up a freezer stash and pump while you're gone.

snicksnack

Both me and my employee travel and if she came to me with a request not to travel I would have to say no.  The only way she could get out of it is if I agreed to do all of her travel and I travel a lot for my job so that is not possiable.  If you think someone else can and would go and you are friendly I would talk to that person and talk to your boss in-person with a plan.  Once he agrees you can follow-up with an email to get it in writing.  International travel is fun I would love to do it if I did not have kids so I bet there are alot of people you work with that would jump on it if it is possiable.

cedenton

I normally travel up to a week at a time once per month on average.  I just had a conversation with my supervisor about how I "could" be gone 12 wks, but was only taking 6, so I would like to not travel for the full 12.  They didn't have a problem with it.

reb562

I would tell them in person and then follow-up with a letter.  It's better to get a face reaction and know how to proceed then have them say something behind your back, etc...just my 2 cents.

atcwag

What is your back-up plan if they do not grant your request? 

Is it feasible to take LO with you on trips?  You would maybe need to pay for their travel expenses and possibly a nanny as well.

flhokie

As a few others have said, go to your boss with a plan. However, if it's part of your job description to travel it might be difficult. Also, make it clear if this is a one time deal--the trip in January or if you don't want to travel at all anymore. You might have more luck with just the January trip.

 I am in a job that requires travel. If I don't travel I don't have a job (and finding another job with comparable pay is not very easy). Before DD I was gone 3-5 night per week on average (traveled through week 34). I had a discussion with my boss before DD was born where we agreed on plans post baby. We agreed that for the first 3 weeks back from maternity leave I would not travel--would spend the time getting back up to speed. After that, my travel was able to be reduced to 1 trip per week (1-3 nights on average) except for rare occasions. That reduction in travel did come with a reduction in pay, but my compensation stayed at an acceptable level.

Good luck!  If you do have to travel try not to stress about it too much. It does work out in the end.