Updated at: 26-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Maternity leave emails are the subject of this guide. Returning from maternity leave, your employee will want to catch up on everything that’s happened while she was away.

Prior to meeting her for the first time, give her at least a week or two to make sure everything is in order.

When your colleague returns from vacation, even if there are no major concerns to discuss, it would still be useful to hold a follow-up meeting where you cover crucial details they may not be aware of or need access to.

If the company has changed its policies since they last worked, and if anything else is important going forward, it’s worth adding in the document as well. Before the meeting or after their break, sending an email is a smart idea so that they can easily catch up on anything they missed.

What to Write in Your Maternity Leave Out-of-Office Email

There is one more thing that working mommies need to think about before the big day: writing the perfect maternity leave out of office message. It’s easier to put work on wait when you have a well-thought-out auto-reply message informing your coworkers and clients of your situation.

3 Maternity Leave Out of Office Message Templates | The Muse

During your maternity leave, your coworkers are emailing you to inquire about four things:

  1. Where have you been all this time?
  2. When will you be back?
  3. When you’re away, who can they call?
  4. Will you be available or unavailable during this time?

Isn’t that easy?? Here’s how it works:

1. Where are you?

Explaining that you’re on maternity leave is entirely acceptable. As soon as you use the term “maternity leave,” your coworkers know you’re fine and that you intend to return.

“on medical leave,” “on extended leave,” or “out of the office” may sound like good solutions if you want to keep your personal life private, but keep in mind that they could create more concerns than they answer. Don’t be afraid to do whatever makes you feel at ease.

2. When are leaving and when are you back?

Consider sending out an out-of-office message a week or two before your due date if you’re not planning on working until your waters break and know when your maternity leave will begin. As a result, your co-workers will not be surprised when you announce your approaching departure. Starting [date], I will be on maternity leave.”

People will be curious as to when you expect to return to work, but don’t worry if you don’t have an answer just yet! If you have a date in mind for your return, be sure to mention it. It’s fine to make an educated guess if you’re unsure. Use phrases like “I’ll be back in July” or “I’ll be back in the fall” when describing your return. Alternatively, you may simply state, “I’m taking maternity leave.”

3. Who can they contact while you are out?

This is crucial! Provide a phone number or email address for someone else to take over for you while you’re away. The following information should be provided: names, roles, and phone/email contact information. My colleague [name] can be contacted at [phone/email] for quick assistance.”

The number of people you have to contact may vary based on your position.

This person’s name or information can be used to submit a proposal. Contact [name/info] if you’d like further information on the conference. Please contact [name/information] for all other inquiries.”

4. How available are you?

This decision is entirely yours to make. For three months, there’s a courteous way to let your employer know you don’t want to hear from them again. You can specify different limitations if you wish to be kept in the loop. Here are a few illustrations:

  • “I won’t be checking my e-mail,” I said.
  • In other words, “I won’t be checking email all that often.”
  • “My assistant should be contacted for urgent concerns. When I get back, I’ll reply.”
  • “Please identify urgent things as urgent so that I can prioritize them.”
  • After [date], please check back with me if you have any questions or concerns about any of my emails that I receive while I’m on maternity leave.”

One Less Thing to Think About: 3 Email Templates for Your Maternity Leave

Ultra-professional maternity leave out-of-office auto-reply messages:

Please accept my sincere gratitude for your email. For the time being, I am taking maternity leave. A few times a week, I will be checking my email. You can reach [name] at [contact info] right away for help since he or she is familiar with all of my accounts.

Example 2: Good morning. Maternity leave begins on [date] and I intend to return at that time. Though I’m reading my email, please send urgent concerns to HR manager [name] at [contact information].

Lighthearted maternity leave out-of-office messages:

Until [date], I will be on maternity leave. Good news: I’ll soon be a working mother, and working mothers are notoriously badass. Please get in touch with [name] at [contact information]. If you’d like to provide a link to a blog post regarding working moms, like this one, please do so.

I’d like to introduce myself. As of right now, I’m on a paid maternity leave. As much as I’m looking forward to coming back to work on or around [date], I’m having a great time changing diapers and staying up late. In the meantime, you can get in touch with [name/info] for anything urgent.

Funny maternity leave out-of-office messages:

I’m a new mother! If I don’t get to take a shower by January 15th, I’ll be out of work for the rest of the year. Please just send me parenting advice or amusing cat videos if you’d like to get in touch. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact [name]. Good luck to me!

Second:

Due to the following conflict:

Vacationing in the tropics

The Bachelor is []

[x] Leave of absence for new mothers

I’ll be back, I promise.

Tomorrow []

[] For the following year

[x] Hopefully by November, this little boy will be able to drink from a bottle.

We will respond to all of your emails.

While I’m nursing, [ ]

As soon as [ ] the baby goes to college

The [x] number of [x] Please be patient with me! I’ll be posting about once a week!

As soon as you’ve crafted the perfect maternity leave out-of-office message, you can begin to think about how to make the most of your time off with your new kid. Consider SNOO, a responsive infant bassinet that has been proven to add 1-2+ hours of sleep a night to both babies and their exhausted mothers!! Find out more about SNOO by visiting this page.

Maternity leave out-of-office message | Templates and tips - IONOS

My water broke early during the birth of my first kid, and I didn’t have a hospital bag ready to go. In the end, he packed me three pairs of leggings that were too tiny and one tank top that was too big. The sweats he’d packed for himself were generously loaned to me!

Once again, my hospital bag was prepared around the time I learned I was pregnant with a girl, so that I could welcome my daughter into the world wearing clothes that belonged to me.

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My out-of-office mails all followed the same pattern, so I know you’re thinking I’m a little far-fetched. While pregnant with my first child, I sent out an impatient “I’m going to the hospital and won’t be checking my email” message for my boss—and had to get on within days of giving birth to send anything that was of use. Due to the fact that it would be one less thing to worry about during my second pregnancy, I saved my out of office messages in draft form well in advance.

Auto-responders are the ideal method to tell folks that you’re not only unavailable but that you’re also a professional who has thought of everything (OK, almost everything) in advance.

Here’s how to come up with a universally appealing one:

Address the Key Points

The ideal maternity leave communications include your return date, at least one point of contact, and an indication of how readily available you plan to be throughout your absence from the workplace.

As imprecise as “mid-July” is, it’s crucial that you provide the other individual with the information he or she needs to proceed in a timely manner. Your list of persons to contact if they’re hopeful the next step of the project will be completed by then will help them. Emailing you around the time of your expected return is a good way for the company to know that you are coming back soon.

People reach out for a variety of reasons, so it’s best to provide a variety of ways for them to get in touch. List a few solutions to make their life easier, as well as those of the people who will be covering for you. Think of “[email] Steve for help with [particular project].” Jennifer can be contacted at [email] for any other questions. Remember to ask these persons in advance whether you may include their contact information on your list.

We should also highlight that some people choose to check their email when they’re away. It’s not uncommon for women who want to stay in touch with a particular project or client to state that they’ll be available in a restricted capacity. Then you’ll need to clarify what “slower to respond” means for you. Keep in mind that you’re in charge here, so don’t hold back.

Now that we’ve established those guiding principles, let’s look at some examples. You may directly copy and paste if you choose (filling in the blanks, of course). or a combination of the two. It’s up to you to figure out what’s best for your position at work.

TEMPLATE #1: For the Mom Who Plans to Fully Disconnect

Hello,

I’ll be out of commission till [date], as I’m expecting my first child.

All questions about the department/role should be directed to (email address). Any questions or concerns about an urgent matter should be directed to (contact name name) at (email address).

Feel free to resend this email in [month] when I’m back to regularly checking my inbox. if this isn’t time sensitive

Happy New Year!

TEMPLATE #2: For the Mom Who Plans to Stay Somewhat Connected

Hello,

For the duration of my absence, I will not be in the office.

Once a week, a few times a month, or only on rare occasions will I be checking my inbox. Any communications you’d want me to evaluate, please forward them to me with the subject line “URGENT:[Original Subject]” and I’ll get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

Please contact [contact name] at [contact email] if you have any queries about your message while it is being processed.

Happy New Year!

TEMPLATE #3: For the Mom Who Wants to Have a Litte Fun With It

Hi,

Sorry to break the news to you, but I’ll be taking a maternity vacation from now until [date].

There are many ways to get in touch with the [department/role]. Any questions or concerns about an urgent matter should be directed to (contact name name) at (email address).

Feel free to resend this email in [month] when I’m back to regularly checking my inbox. if this isn’t time sensitive

Enjoy these gorgeous pictures of my baby [@InstagramHandle] in the meantime. As a self-professed internet snob, I believe they’re the coolest thing going.

Happy New Year!

I’ll call you [your name here]

FAQs

How do you respond to a maternity leave email?

I appreciate the kind words you’ve shared with me. Due to my upcoming pregnancy, I will be absent from work until [MONTH/DATE]. Please call [NAME] at [CONTACT INFORMATION] if you require immediate assistance. I’ll be back in [MONTH] and will get to your message then.

How do you write an automatic reply for maternity leave?

As of May 1, I’ll be taking maternity leave.” Please contact regional manager [name] at [email/phone] if you need immediate assistance. I won’t be monitoring email while I’m away, but I hope to reconnect when I get back.”

What do you say when someone returns from maternity leave?

I’d want to congratulate you on your return to the workplace. With the arrival of [baby’s name], I wish you all the best. At [business], we’re devoted to making your return to the workforce a seamless one. I am able to provide you with [accommodation, such as a lactation room or a flexible work schedule] to match your specific needs.

How do I tell my boss about maternity leave?

I am writing to tell you that I intend to take the maternity leave that I am entitled to. Maternity leave begins on Starting date” and ends on Tentative joining date, unless there are any unexpected complications during my pregnancy or birth.”

What month should you do maternity pictures?

They are best done in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. In this approach, your mother will feel more at ease and this will be evident in your photographs.

If your due date falls between 28 and 36 weeks, you have some leeway in planning, but not too much. To avoid having to wait till the baby is born, take advantage of the time when they are about to give birth.

If she likes an indoor or outdoor look, try a variety of poses that draw attention to her growing belly while capturing about 25 images per session.

The fact that so many women choose to let their hair grow out during their pregnancies lends an extra unique touch to the look. Make sure you keep up with any hair treatments or styles that may be necessary for those special photos.

Can you wear normal clothes when pregnant?

Pregnant women can wear normal clothing. Unexpectedly, there’s a lot in your closet that will work well with your growing belly. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to buy clothing that aren’t too tight around the waist, but not too loose either.

Maternity Leave 101: Basic Things You Should Know | Fairygodboss

How many sizes up should I buy when pregnant?

For ordinary clothing, you may want to go up a size, while for maternity apparel, you may want to go up two sizes.

How to wear a maternity belt?

Not over your belly, but below. As far as feasible, wear the support as close to the body as possible, going from side to side. For discretion, you can wear it under or over your clothing, but make sure you do what is most comfortable for you.

Can maternity support belts hurt the baby?

In no way, shape, or form do support belts harm a baby. During your pregnancy, they can ease the strain on your back and abdomen. Working out or engaging in any other activity that necessitates a significant amount of energy is made easier with the assistance of these items.

When do you stop wearing a maternity belt?

They are normally worn until around week 36, when the focus shifts from pain treatment to preparing for childbirth in the final weeks of pregnancy.

If there is no medical intervention, most women go into labor naturally around week 37 or 38. Once you’re in active labor, your primary concerns should be ensuring that you’re as comfortable as possible and ensuring that you have someone by your side who is experienced in giving birth safely. A maternity belt is unnecessary at this point.

What happens if I do not return to work after maternity leave in Iceland?

For the duration of your maternity leave, you will be ineligible for child benefits if you do not return to work.

Is it harder to get a mortgage with a child?

Buying a house is one of the most important decisions that a person will ever have to make. Many people who want to buy a house question if it’s more difficult to do so if they have children, as this means they’ll need a lot more space and potentially even an extra room for them!

There are some things to keep in mind when purchasing a home with a family, such as looking at houses on streets with low traffic where your children can ride their bikes without putting themselves or others in danger, but overall having children does not mean that people cannot get mortgages any more than someone who is single would be unable to get one.

What can I drink to increase milk production when breastfeeding my baby?

Drink as much fluid as possible during breastfeeding to avoid hypernatremia, which can occur if you consume too much water while bottle feeding (water intoxication).

Can I get any financial help while on maternity leave?

Is there financial support available if you are eligible for Maternity Allowance?

What help can I get with breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding workshops, consultations, and internet resources are all available to new mothers who desire to breastfeed.

How to pay bills while on maternity leave?

Contact your employer and work out a plan for the time you’ll be out of the office while on leave. To avoid this, you may want to save money or ask for aid from family members in advance.