Parental Leave Return Pack

RETURN-TO-WORK NEGOTIATION LETTER (STAFF)

Date: [DATE]
To: [MANAGER/EDITOR NAME], [PUBLICATION]
From: [YOUR NAME]

Subject: Return to work following [maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental] leave — [PROPOSED RETURN DATE]

Dear [MANAGER NAME],

I am writing ahead of my return to work on [DATE] following [maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental] leave, to confirm arrangements and raise a few points I would like to discuss.

CONFIRMATION OF RETURN
Planned return date: [DATE]
Role I am returning to: [CONFIRM JOB TITLE/DESK — note if this differs from role held before leave]

POINTS TO DISCUSS
1. Handover/briefing: I would find it helpful to have a short catch-up on [KEY DEVELOPMENTS, DESK CHANGES, ONGOING STORIES] before my first shift back.
2. Working pattern: [CONFIRM IF UNCHANGED, OR STATE PROPOSED CHANGE — e.g. "I would like to discuss a phased return over the first two weeks" or "I am submitting a separate flexible working request, attached"]
3. Any changes to my role, reporting line, or responsibilities during my leave that I should be aware of.
4. KIT (Keeping in Touch) days or shared parental leave in touch days used, if relevant, and how these affect my leave/pay entitlement calculation.

I am looking forward to returning and would appreciate confirming these details before [DATE], so I can prepare properly for my return.

Please let me know a convenient time to discuss.

Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]

FLEXIBLE WORKING REQUEST — EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996, SECTION 80F

Date: [DATE]
To: [MANAGER/HR NAME], [PUBLICATION]
From: [YOUR NAME]
Employee number (if applicable): [NUMBER]

STATUTORY FLEXIBLE WORKING REQUEST

Dear [MANAGER/HR NAME],

I am submitting a statutory flexible working request under section 80F of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

1. DATE OF THIS REQUEST: [DATE]
2. CURRENT WORKING PATTERN: [DESCRIBE — e.g. "5 days per week, office-based, [HOURS]"]
3. PROPOSED NEW WORKING PATTERN: [DESCRIBE — e.g. "4 days per week, with Wednesdays working from home" / "Compressed hours: [DETAIL]" / "Flexible start/finish times between [RANGE]"]
4. PROPOSED START DATE: [DATE]
5. HOW I ANTICIPATE THIS AFFECTING THE BUSINESS, AND HOW THIS COULD BE MANAGED: [E.g. "I propose handing over breaking-news cover on my non-working day to [COLLEAGUE/DESK ARRANGEMENT]" — employers must consider your proposal, and setting this out helps]
6. PREVIOUS APPLICATION: [State whether this is your first application in the last 12 months, as you are limited to two per 12-month period]

I understand you are required to respond to this request within two months of receipt (unless we agree to extend this period), and that any refusal must be based on one of the specific business reasons set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996.

I am happy to discuss this request and am open to reasonable adjustments to reach a working arrangement that suits both the team and my circumstances.

Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]
[DATE]

FREELANCE CLIENT RE-ENGAGEMENT EMAIL

Subject: Back and available from [DATE] — [YOUR NAME]

Dear [EDITOR/CLIENT NAME],

I hope you are well. I am writing to let you know I am returning to freelance work from [DATE], following [maternity/paternity/adoption] leave, and would love to pick up commissions with [PUBLICATION] again.

WHAT'S CHANGED / STAYED THE SAME
- Availability: [CONFIRM YOUR CURRENT AVAILABILITY — e.g. "Available Monday-Thursday, core hours 9am-3pm, with flexibility for occasional urgent deadlines"]
- Rates: [CONFIRM CURRENT RATE — e.g. "My day rate remains £[RATE]" or note any change]
- Areas of focus: [CONFIRM BEAT/SPECIALISM — note if this has shifted]
- Turnaround: [CONFIRM TYPICAL TURNAROUND FOR COMMISSIONS]

I've kept across [BEAT/INDUSTRY] during my leave and have some story ideas I'd love to pitch when you have a moment — happy to send these separately or jump on a call.

Please let me know if there's a good time to catch up, or if there's a commission you have in mind that would suit a returning contributor.

Best wishes,
[YOUR NAME]
[EMAIL] | [PHONE] | [PORTFOLIO LINK]

CHILDCARE-IMPACT CONVERSATION SCRIPT

Use this as a structure for a conversation with an editor, news desk, or client about childcare constraints affecting your availability — whether as staff or freelance.

OPENING (LEAD WITH CAPABILITY, NOT APOLOGY)
"I wanted to talk through my availability going forward so we can plan commissions/shifts effectively. My childcare arrangements mean my working pattern has changed in some specific ways, but I want to be clear about what I can reliably deliver."

STEP 1: STATE WHAT HAS CHANGED, SPECIFICALLY
"[E.g. I'm no longer able to commit to early-morning doorstep shifts before 9am, or last-minute evening call-outs after 6pm on [SPECIFIC DAYS].]"

STEP 2: STATE WHAT REMAINS FULLY AVAILABLE
"[E.g. I'm fully available for phone and video interviews, writing, editing, and desk-based reporting during [CORE HOURS]. I can also flex hours on [SPECIFIC DAYS] with notice.]"

STEP 3: PROPOSE A WORKABLE SOLUTION FOR URGENT/BREAKING NEWS
"[E.g. For breaking news outside my core hours, I can be reached by phone for a quick turnaround piece, even if I can't attend in person — or I'm happy to be part of a rota with [COLLEAGUE] for out-of-hours cover.]"

STEP 4: INVITE COLLABORATION, NOT JUST ACCOMMODATION
"I want this to work well for the desk/publication as well as for me — is there a working pattern that would suit both sides? I'm open to discussing this further if it's helpful."

IF PUSHBACK OCCURS
- Stay factual: refer to your track record and the specific hours/pattern proposed, not a general statement of reduced commitment
- If staff: note that you have a statutory right to request flexible working under s.80F Employment Rights Act 1996, and any refusal must be for a specified business reason
- If freelance: you are not obliged to accept work patterns that don't work for you — it is a commercial negotiation, not a request for special treatment

CLOSING
"Thank you for talking this through with me — let me know if you'd like this in writing, or if there's anything else you need to plan around it."