The costs of maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave cover, finding suitable cover and managing absence, if cover is not an option, are often key concerns in smaller workplaces (see Planning leave and Managing staff absence).
Sometimes, some simple, no- or low-cost steps can be taken to manage absence (e.g., re-allocating tasks among the team). However, investing time and potentially money in developing strategies to manage parental leave and other necessary adjustments can also help manage unexpected and longer-term absences related to, e.g., sickness and burnout.
These strategies might include creating an absence management plan; building multi-skilled teams to increase flexibility and resilience; and supporting all staff, including parents and non-parents, to ensure a fair and inclusive workplace. In any case, early, open communication and flexible, creative solutions are key to achieving positive outcomes for both staff and the wider organisation (see How to start a conversation on a sensitive topic and Creating a supportive workplace culture).
