By Jessica Kurz, Senior Director of Strategic Projects at VTS. 

As someone who is about to take my second parental leave in two years, I've learned a lot about how to prepare for the time away from work as well as how to transition back in. I believe that parental leave is essential and that all caregivers should be given the opportunity to temporarily step away from work guilt and stress free. I hope to be able to share some tips from my experience that will help you prepare for each phase of your leave - from the initial conversation with your manager all the way through to being fully back in your role post-baby.

You'll walk away from this chat with a better understanding of:

• When and how to begin discussing your need for parental leave with your manager
• Ways to plan for your time away from the office
• How to set yourself up for a successful return to work
• Ideas for navigating difficult scenarios related to taking leave and adjusting back into work mode post-leave