222. What to Do When an Employee Has a Baby: A Guide for Managers with Lori Mihalich-Levin

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Lori Mihalich-Levin, healthcare attorney and founder of Mindful Return, to unpack one of the most emotionally charged and operationally challenging moments for managers: when an employee becomes a parent.We break down the real reason why one in three women don’t return to work after maternity leave—and what managers can do to create a supportive, retention-focused approach to parental leave transitions. Lori shares her four-part framework for managers, practical communication tips, and a powerful mindset shift that reframes parental leave from disruption to leadership opportunity.Whether you’re creating your first parental leave policy or navigating your own experience as a working parent, this episode gives you the tactical tools and human-centered perspective to do it well.What you’ll hear in this episode:[1:10] Why most managers mishandle parental leave[4:00] The four pillars of a successful leave transition: Mindset, Logistics, Leadership, and Community[7:25] How parental leave can actually strengthen leadership skills[10:10] The damaging assumptions managers often make—and how to avoid them[12:20] Why co-creating a leave plan builds trust and buy-in[14:45] What to say (and what not to say) when someone tells you they’re expecting[17:30] Rethinking “primary caregiver” and outdated policy terms[19:00] How to support team members without breaking your budget[21:15] Why small businesses are perfectly positioned to offer meaningful parental support[24:00] Reframing guilt as values-based decision-making[26:15] Free resources and step-by-step guides from Mindful Return[28:05] Final thoughts on being a thoughtful, prepared boss during parental leaveResources Mentioned:Mindful Return Website: https://www.mindfulreturn.com99 Questions to Ask Yourself Before, During, and After Parental Leave: Download hereBook: Back to Work After Baby by Lori Mihalich-LevinParents at Work Podcast: Listen on Apple PodcastsFree meditations for working parents on Insight TimerCourses for new parents & managers available at mindfulreturn.comConnect with Lori:LinkedIn: Lori Mihalich-LevinInstagram: @mindfulreturnEmail: lori@mindfulreturn.comConnect with Me:LinkedIn: Jackie KochWebsite: peopleprinciples.co

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Jackie Koch has been in the trenches building the teams that grow companies for over 15 years. She’s hired hundreds of people, navigated countless sticky situations, and earned an MBA along the way. From being deeply involved in the nitty-gritty of team building to now helping others navigate the waters of running a business, she wants to help you avoid the messes she’s had to help clean up. Listen in and discover insights on leadership dos and don'ts, strategies for effective hiring and team building, and essentials to keep your business in employment compliance. Through solo episodes, guest episodes featuring experts in the field, and candid conversations with her business partner you'll be well on your journey to becoming the World’s Greatest Boss.