Description
Book SynopsisSupport your growing family without losing professional grounda 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 timeSet expectations with managers and colleagues to ensure a smooth transitionLearn how to maintain visibility, avoid being replaced, and continue your upward career trajectory during your parental leave and beyondGrow and strengthen your family without sacrificing your professional gains All working parents-to-be can benefit fromthe ideas and proven tools in this direct and practical book.
Table of ContentsAuthor’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
