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1-minute guide · Work and family

Your maternity leave handover plan, on one hand.

A good handover lets you actually switch off. Start earlier than feels necessary, because due dates move.

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The 1-minute version

  1. Picture it: your last day, a backup date, and what “handed over” means.
  2. Map it: a table of every project, its owner and where the files live.
  3. Try it: a trial week where your cover runs things while you watch.
  4. Launch it: the handover email, and each owner says it back.
  5. Close it: plan your return, and keep the table for next time.
  1. I · Thumb · Thumbs up

    Picture it. Decide what “handed over” means, and when.

    • Write your planned last day and a backup date in case the baby comes early.
    • Done looks like this: every project has a named owner, and nobody needs to call you.
  2. II · Pointer · Direction

    Map it. List your work and give each piece one owner.

    • A simple table: project, status, next deadline, owner while you’re out, where the files live.
    • Include the recurring tasks and the people you usually deal with.
  3. III · Middle · Challenge

    Try it. Run a trial week before you go.

    • Let your cover people handle things for a week while you watch.
    • Fix whatever surprises them while you’re still there to answer.
  4. IV · Ring · Commitment

    Launch it. Send the handover email, and ask people to say it back.

    • One email to your manager and team, with the table attached, plus your out-of-office message.
    • Ask each owner to reply confirming what they’re taking on.
  5. V · Pinky promise

    Close it. Plan your return too.

    • Agree how and when you’ll get a catch-up before your first day back.
    • Keep the table. It’s your starting point next time.

This guide covers the work handover only. Check your company’s leave policy, and talk to your manager or HR about dates and pay.

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Quick questions

When should I start my maternity leave handover?

Many people start a month or more before their planned last day and aim to finish the main handover a couple of weeks early, since babies don’t always wait for the plan.

What should a handover document include?

Each project’s status, next deadline, who owns it while you’re out, where the files are, key contacts, and recurring tasks people might forget.

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Picture it · Map it · Try it · Launch it · Close it