How to plan your return to work before going on maternity or parental leave

Planning your return to work before going on parental leave sets clear expectations with your manager, locks in your employment rights, and cuts down on stress when your leave ends. When you clarify your intended return date, flexible working preferences, and communication boundaries before leaving, you avoid scrambling to make major career decisions while navigating midnight feeds.

In New Zealand, eligible working parents can access up to 26 weeks of government-funded primary carer payments under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987, alongside up to 52 weeks of extended unpaid leave depending on how long you've been with your employer. Laying the groundwork early ensures you take full advantage of these entitlements without leaving your team in the lurch.

You must give your employer at least 21 days' written notice before returning to work after parental leave in New Zealand. This 21-day notice rule applies whether you're returning on your originally agreed start date, coming back early, or letting your boss know you've decided not to return. 

If you want to return early, your employer must formally agree unless specific exemption criteria apply under employment law.

The best time to discuss flexible working arrangements is before your leave begins, when you're already reviewing your job coverage with your manager. Every employee in New Zealand has the legal right to request a variation to their working arrangements at any time, and employers are required to consider these requests in good faith.

When putting forward your proposal, focus on practical scenarios that keep your core responsibilities running smoothly. Rather than just asking for reduced hours, present a clear plan for how your workload will be managed. Options to consider include:

• Staggered or phased return: Starting back on two or three days a week for your first month before building up to your agreed schedule.

• Hybrid or remote work: Working part of the week from home to reduce commute time and fit around childcare drop-offs.

• Compressed fortnights: Working slightly longer hours over nine days to take every second Friday off.

• Job sharing: Partnering with a colleague to cover a full-time role between you.

Your employer must respond to your formal flexible working request in writing within one month. Getting this agreement documented before your leave starts means you won't spend your time off worrying about whether your proposed schedule will be approved.

Establishing how and when you want your workplace to contact you while you're away keeps you connected without invading your family time. Some parents prefer total radio silence until a month before returning, while others love receiving team news or social invites.

New Zealand law provides a structured framework for staying connected through Keeping in Touch (KIT) hours. KIT hours let you perform up to 64 hours of paid work for your employer during your paid parental leave period without losing your government payments or being considered officially back at work.

You can't use KIT hours within the first 28 days after your child is born, but after that, they're ideal for attending annual planning days, key training sessions, or team catch-ups. Agree with your manager prior to heading off whether you'd like to reserve some of these hours for your final month of leave to make your transition back into work easier.

Waiting until a few weeks before your return date to look for childcare in New Zealand can leave you stuck on long waiting lists. Quality early childhood education (ECE) centres, home-based carers, and kohanga reo across Aotearoa often have wait times stretching from six to twelve months, particularly for infant places.

Start visiting local providers early in your pregnancy or adoption process. Key practical steps to handle before your leave starts include:

• Locking in provisional start dates: Book a slot that starts one to two weeks before your actual first day back at work, giving you time for settling-in visits.

• Checking ECE subsidies: Research your eligibility for government childcare assistance and 20 Hours ECE if your child is approaching age three.

• Building a backup plan: Identify trusted whānau members or backup carers for days when your child is unwell and can't attend childcare.

• Practising the morning routine: Do a dry run of the drop-off and commute before your official return date to spot timing bottlenecks.

If you plan to breastfeed or express milk after returning to work, discussing your needs with your employer before going on leave makes the return seamless. Under New Zealand law, employers must provide appropriate, unpaid breaks and suitable facilities for employees who wish to breastfeed or express milk at work, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Talk to your manager about where you can privately express milk (a dedicated room with a lockable door, comfortable chair, and power point, rather than a bathroom) and where you can store it safely, such as a staff fridge. If you're returning to demanding shifts in healthcare and medical jobs or active hands-on roles, sorting these arrangements beforehand gives your employer time to set up proper facilities.

Going on parental leave shouldn't mean putting your career aspirations on ice unless you want it to. Maintaining a modest connection to your industry helps you feel confident when you step back into the building.

Before you leave, make sure your professional profiles and contact details are up to date. You don't need to study for a degree while caring for a baby, but keeping an eye on industry shifts or checking our careers advice hub keeps your knowledge fresh. If your role requires keeping up with pay benchmarks, reviewing our salary guide before your return helps you enter performance discussions informed and prepared.

Remember that returning from parental leave is a major life transition. Giving yourself grace, establishing clear workplace agreements early, and leaning on your support network will make your return to mahi both rewarding and manageable.