How to create your parental leave plan

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team — March 2026.

Planning for parental leave can feel overwhelming. But with a clear approach, you can prepare your work, so you feel confident stepping away.

A good coverage plan helps you focus on your growing family and helps your team keep things running while you’re out. Coverage planning is simple to understand, but it does take intentional steps.

Start with a timeline

Begin planning about 3 to 4 months before your leave date. Try to have a draft of your coverage plan about 4 weeks before your leave begins. Starting early gives you time to think through your work and talk with your manager and teammates.

Understand your work responsibilities

Make a clear list of the work you do. This list is the foundation for planning coverage and transition.

Think about:

• Routine tasks you handle each week

• Meetings you attend or lead

• Projects with upcoming deadlines

• Tools, systems, and files others may need

• People you work with most often

This step doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s understanding what your daily and weekly work looks like, so you and your manager can get a clear picture of what needs to be covered.

Talk with your manager first

Before sharing your plan with others, schedule a conversation with your manager. In this meeting, you might:

• Share your expected leave dates

• Discuss priorities and what can wait

• Confirm what parts of your work need coverage and who may take them on

• Talk about how you’ll communicate before and during leave

Involve your colleagues next

Once your manager agrees on the general direction of your plan, you can bring coworkers into the conversation. This step is about collaboration — not just delegating tasks.

When you talk with your team or coworkers, you might:

• Explain how you and your manager agreed to approach coverage

• Share parts of your work that could be picked up

• Ask for input on what would help them feel confident in covering

• Review what meetings they may need to attend in your place

Document how things work

When others step into your work temporarily, good notes make a big difference. If the work needs instructions, consider including:

• Details of each task

• Locations of key documents

• Contacts for specific questions

• Tips for common situations or problems

Even a few clear sentences per task can make your plan easier for your coworkers to follow.

Plan for your return

Good parental leave planning also includes thinking about your return to work. You don’t need all the answers now, but talking about a few ideas can help you transition smoothly.

You might discuss with your manager:

• A check-in meeting before and/or after you return

• If a gradual or flexible schedule is possible

• A few early priorities once you’re back

Final thoughts

Your parental leave plan is a helpful tool for you to sort out who will do what, and how. Planning together with your manager and coworkers can help everyone feel supported, prepared, and connected. With a bit of intentional preparation, you can focus on your growing family while your work stays on track.

You’ve got this! 

Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.  

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney for legal guidance. 

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