Lauren Smith Brody Fifth Trimester Handover

Prepare for parental leave using the framework created by Fifth Trimester author Lauren Smith Brody. This maternity leave handover routine helps you map responsibilities, set boundaries, and ramp down work effectively.

6 time blocks, 90 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Audit Core Workload: 15 min
List every recurring weekly and monthly task you manage
Assign Primary and Secondary Owners: 15 min
Pair each project with a main coverage person and backup
Establish Out of Office Thresholds: 10 min
Define what constitutes a true emergency requiring contact
Document Core Process Guides: 20 min
Write short steps for key software tools and recurring decisions
Run Dry Run Handoff Meetings: 15 min
Let coverage partners handle live decisions while you shadow
Finalize Auto Responder and Access: 15 min
Draft clear redirect emails and grant necessary system permissions

About this routine

Lauren Smith Brody wrote The Fifth Trimester to give working mothers a clear strategy for taking parental leave and returning to work. A key part of her framework is building an explicit transition document weeks before your due date. Instead of leaving loose ends, this maternity leave handover routine creates clear accountability for team members while protecting your personal boundaries while away.

The process starts by auditing your daily responsibilities and naming both primary and secondary owners for every project. Brody stresses that naming secondary backups prevents burnout among colleagues covering your work. You then establish strict emergency contact thresholds, making it plain what qualifies as a real emergency versus a question that can wait.

During the final phase, you run dry run meetings where colleagues take over active decisions while you are still present to assist. This gives your team confidence and lets you spot missing information before your departure date. Following this structured plan ensures a calm exit and a smoother return.

Why this routine works

Prevents coverage confusion by assigning clear primary and secondary owners
Protects personal leave time with pre agreed emergency contact rules
Reduces pre leave anxiety through dry run practice sessions

FAQ

What is Lauren Smith Brody's advice for maternity leave handovers?

She recommends setting clear primary and secondary task owners, testing handovers with dry run weeks, and establishing explicit emergency contact rules.

How early should you start a maternity leave handover plan?

Brody suggests starting the handover document about four to six weeks before your expected leave date to allow time for dry runs.

How long does this maternity leave handover process take to complete?

This structured planning session takes 90 minutes to outline tasks, assign owners, and write clear boundary guidelines.

Sources

The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Owning Your Renewal and Getting Back to It After Baby, Lauren Smith Brody
How to Prepare for Maternity Leave at Work, Harvard Business Review