TL:DR

Before leave

• agree leave and book on Humaans
• work handover plan to be put in place
• contact points: buddy, manager and People team

During leave

• light touch contact or fully disconnect
• adjust partner leave if circumstances change
• benefits available to support

Return to work

• use hybrid and flexible hours to navigate new routines
• regular check-ins to support
• buddy to support (ideally with lived experience)

Partner leave

We recognise the important role that partners play, whether you're becoming a father or co-parent you and your family will be adjusting to a new dynamic.

Taking time to bond with your child and support your family is vital, and our aim is to ensure that your transition into and out of partner leave is as smooth and supportive as possible.

Before you go on leave

Before you go on leave your manager will discuss a plan that works for your individual needs. This can cover:

Planning your leave

We know that you can’t plan everything in advance, so we aim to keep things flexible:

• If you’re unsure how to plan your leave, booking the full 4 - 6 weeks immediately after the birth is a good place to start.
• Add your planned leave to Humaans so it’s clear to the wider team that you'll be away.
• You can choose to return earlier and take the remainder of your leave later (within 12 months of the birth).
  • If you decide to return early stay in touch with your manager and aim to give a week’s notice if possible so we can prepare.

Handover and cover

Your manager will support you to plan an effective handover that works for the team. This is a collaborative process and should be started 2–3 weeks before your leave begins.

Together, you’ll:

• Agree which tasks need covering while you're away and decide who will pick up each area of work.
• Highlight any key processes, deadlines and any critical tasks the team need to be aware of.
• Update internal and external stakeholders with a clear comms plan.

Staying in touch (if you’d like to)

Some people like to stay connected during leave, others want full space, either is fine. Before you go, chat with your manager (and the People ****team, if helpful) to agree what feels right for you.

Some options to consider: