Need advice on my maternity leave letter

[Hettie.]

Well I think it's about time to tell my clients that I'm pregnant, it's getting to the point where it's hard to hide now! So I feel most comfortable emailing all of my regular clients but would like opinions before sending it off.

First, I'd like to ask if you think that I should even add the fact that I'm looking for another therapist?
If you think it's ok to add that, what about the wording on that paragraph?

Anything else that I should add or maybe leave out?


Hello everyone! I am writing to let you know that I am having a baby! My due date is August 28th. My current plans are to work through the beginning of August and if everything goes as planned, I hope to return back to work in late September or October. Many of you may already know that plans can change with a pregnancy and a new baby in the home, so I will be sure to keep you all updated if there are there are other changes.

In the mean time, I would like to let you know that I have reopened my evening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays with appointments available as late as 7 pm.

I have also been playing with the idea of adding another massage therapist to my practice. Mainly to cover for me during the time that I am on maternity leave and to fill in some hours that I may not be able work. But please note that as my regular clients, you are my top priority and I will always make time for you. But in case you need to come in during my leave, I would like to have back up as well as someone to take on new clients as they schedule during my leave.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Need advice on my maternity leave letter

I like the letter up to the last paragraph. I will think on it and add some thoughts tomorrow when I get a chance.

I would let people know you "may" be adding a therapist to cover you during that time, but leave it at "may" in case something falls through. My gut instinct would also be to "not" say you will be adding another therapist to the practice, but to see how it works out over the pregnancy and then go from there.

Those are my off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts before going into session right now...... *waves*



03/31/10: edited for typo

 

[SR26]

Need advice on my maternity leave letter

Thanks for the reply Pueppi. I was thinking maybe I should leave that last paragraph out all together. Then when the time comes that I actually do add another therapist, I can just let them know then.

 

[Giddyup Giddyup]

Need advice on my maternity leave letter

I am with Pueppi on this one... I would not mention bringing in another MT until it is more firmly established. As in you have written and signed a contract with the new MT for an agreement that you can both feel good about. And then I would write a new letter to your clients introducing him or her and letting your clients know that he or she will be filling in for you while you are maternity leave, etc.

I mean it might be possible that if it is a good fit, that you could mentor a new MT, thus having a long term arrangement. Might be nice to have someone to do chair massage or other events with, or to do couples massage with (space permitting). Or even just someone who offers some different specialties than you do. There is a lot of ways you could benefit from having "an understudy"... I just think it may take a little time to find the one that's "just right."

And congrats on the new addition!

 

[CharlyHeartsArsenal]

Need advice on my maternity leave letter

Thank you! I think you're right about not adding that last paragraph.

 

[donya d]

Need advice on my maternity leave letter

I have a few minutes now to do a little with my thoughts. Mainly I just didn't want you to go all night and possibly not garner many comments on your post, since it struck a chord with me.... And, while I am at it, I want to make sure and emphasize, "I really like the letter". It reads nice.

• Hello everyone! I am writing to let you know that I am having a baby! My due date is August 28th. My current plans are to work through the beginning of August and if everything goes as planned, I hope to return back to work in late September or October. Many of you may already know that plans can change with a pregnancy and a new baby in the home, so I will be sure to keep you all updated if there are there are other changes.
  
  In the mean time, I would like to let you know that I have reopened my evening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays with appointments available as late as 7 pm.

Keep!

• Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Keep!

• PS: I would like to alert you to the possiblity that I may decide to bring a helper into my practice during this time. So, if you call and get an unfamiliar but friendly voice on the phone, please don't hesitate to engage in a welcome conversation!

This may be helpful (but I'm not always great at sentence structure), if you feel you want to still add something. This keeps it open to a person who just answers the phone, new therapist or contract therapist for the time being. Just a thought.