How to Write a Return from Maternity Leave Letter

Resuming work after maternity leave can be an exciting but challenging transition. Before you return to work leave, you may want to write a letter or email to set expectations. This correspondence could be sent to your company's human resources director, your supervisor, or both. Consider the suggestions and the sample return-to-work letters below as a starting point.

Show Your Excitement

Of course, you'll want to set a positive tone with your letter. You can use this message as your opportunity to express that you're excited to return to work.

Submit Any Special Requests

Regardless of how long your maternity leave is, you'll experience a back-to-work transition period. Writing this letter is an opportunity to address it. If you can think of anything to help make this transition easier, request it in this letter. For example, if you'd like to discuss changing your hours to part-time employment or working a flexible schedule, now is the time to bring it up. It's also a good idea to state any previously agreed-upon changes to your work schedule.

If you're going back to the same position you left before maternity leave, state your intent to resume your position. If you wrote a maternity leave letter, include a copy of it or mention it in this new letter to remind your employer of when your maternity leave began and when it's scheduled to end. This is also your chance to let your employer know if you want to return to work earlier.

Check If You Need to Send a Doctor's Note

Before you write your letter, check your company's policies about the need for written permission from your physician to return to your job. If you have any medical restrictions due to a complicated pregnancy, state these concerns clearly and attach the note from your doctor. It's much easier to make adjustments right when you return from maternity leave than to do try to do so later.

A Simple Sample Letter

As with all written correspondence, it's wise to make your letter short and to the point. Below is a sample letter for reference. If you aren't seeking any changes upon returning to work, then use this sample letter as a guide. Replace the words in brackets with the details that fit your situation. Download the return from maternity leave letter template below (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

A Sample Letter If Your Job Changed

If you've made an adjustment to your position or work schedule, such as returning part-time or working a flexible schedule, use the below return-to-work letter for reference.