Time away from work whether for maternity, shared parental or adoption leave shouldn’t come at the expense of your career or your team. But too often, when someone steps away, there’s no clear plan in place. Projects stall, pressure builds and returning to work becomes more stressful than it needs to be. At Hanson Search, we believe maternity leave should be a positive and well-supported transition for the individual, the team and the wider business. That’s why we’ve created the Maternity Leave Transition Toolkit, in partnership with The Work Crowd, a practical maternity leave advice toolkit designed to help you plan ahead, manage your handover and return to work with confidence. Whether you’re navigating your first leave or sharing this with someone else, the toolkit supports proactive planning and helps you prepare for a smoother return to work after maternity leave.
Why Maternity Leave Planning Is Important for Teams and Business
Taking time away from work is a normal part of working life, but without proper planning, it can create unnecessary pressure for everyone involved. When maternity leave isn’t structured well, workloads are informally redistributed, client relationships may suffer and team morale can take a hit. Planning ahead avoids these challenges. It keeps projects on track, reduces stress and creates a smoother return to work. Maternity leave planning isn’t just an HR task, it’s a critical part of business continuity and team wellbeing.
What’s Included in the Maternity Leave Toolkit
The Maternity Leave Toolkit is a step-by-step guide created for employees planning maternity leave. It also offers practical support for line managers, HR teams and colleagues involved in supporting the process. The toolkit includes:
- A handover checklist to ensure nothing falls through the gaps
- Guidance on how to plan and communicate your leave
- Advice on cover options whether through internal support or interim professionals
- Tips for staying connected during leave
- Return-to-work guidance to help ease your re-entry
- Common mistakes to avoid and how to set clear expectations early
Whether you’re navigating your first leave or sharing this with someone else, the toolkit supports informed, proactive planning every step of the way.
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT
Maternity Leave Cover and Interim Hiring Support from Hanson Search
If you’re looking for maternity leave cover in your communications, marketing, digital or sustainability team, we can help. Hanson Search specialises in placing experienced interim professionals who can step in on a short-term basis whether to lead a department, maintain delivery or bring fresh thinking during busy periods. Our network includes vetted freelance and interim talent available on contracts ranging from three weeks to twelve months. We operate across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US ensuring fast, reliable support with the right cultural and sector fit.
Need Advice or Support with Maternity Leave Cover?
Speak to our team today — we’re here to help. Get in touch using the form or email us to discuss your maternity leave cover requirements.
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