Free Maternity Leave Planning Toolkit
A Practical Guide to Help You Plan, Step Away and Return with Confidence
Taking time away from work, whether for maternity, shared parental or adoption leave, can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're preparing for leave yourself, supporting a colleague, or managing the handover process, having a clear, practical plan makes all the difference.
That's why The Work Crowd, in collaboration with Hanson Search, a global talent advisory and executive search firm, has created the Maternity Leave Transition Toolkit. This free resource is designed to help individuals and teams approach maternity leave with clarity, confidence and structure.
Why Planning for Maternity Leave Matters at Work
Maternity leave is a major milestone, both personally and professionally. But without the right preparation, it can lead to uncertainty, workload imbalance and a difficult return to work. Teams may lose momentum and employees often feel pressure around how and when to step away.
The toolkit helps you plan in advance, set expectations and communicate clearly with your team. While it's designed primarily for employees, it's also a practical guide for line managers, HR teams and colleagues supporting someone going on leave.
What You'll Find in the Maternity Leave Planning Toolkit
The Maternity Leave Transition Toolkit includes:
- Guidance on how to plan and communicate your leave
- A handover checklist to ensure continuity while you're away
- Advice on choosing the right maternity cover — freelance, interim or contract
- Tips on staying connected during your time away (if you choose to)
- Support for returning to work with clarity and confidence
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Whether you're navigating your first leave or preparing to support someone else, this toolkit offers practical, step-by-step guidance at every stage.
Need Freelance or Interim Cover While You're Away?
At The Work Crowd, we help businesses find flexible freelance and interim professionals across communications, marketing, digital, public affairs and sustainability. If you're planning to step away or supporting someone who is, we can connect you with experienced talent who can keep delivery running smoothly, without skipping a beat.
Our vetted network of experts is ready to step in and support your team during periods of leave, transformation or high workload.