- Key insight: Learn how interim professionals preserve continuity during parental leave.
- Expert quote: Skilled contractors demonstrate your work and wellbeing are valued — Fran Rugo.
- Forward look: Expect increased use of interim specialists in leave planning.
- Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review
Fran Rugo's specialized marketing role was not something she could simply pass off while on
"My role is specific and unique," says Rugo. "I was approached by management [about] the opportunity to have Mother Cover come in and take over while I was on leave, and it was a no brainer. If I could have that support and the team could have that support, that would be seamless and wonderful."
Mother Cover, which provides interim coverage for people on leave, has a team of professionals from various leadership backgrounds, typically manager level and above, who can step into areas such as marketing, operations, HR, product, finance and strategy. While the company is focused on aiding clients with
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The preparation process was smooth, Rugo says, and gave her the confidence that all would be handled well while she was away: In late January 2025, just before starting her leave, she worked with Mother Cover to review transition documents, go over the tasks that existed for her role, and brief them on what was coming up within the time frame she would be out. In turn, Mother Cover had her complete a brief that rounded out what they would need to have someone
While she was out, Rugo had the option to be contacted with updates, but she chose to completely disconnect from work and focus on being a first-time mom. Her baby boy, Theodore, was born in February. When she returned to work in May, there was a two-week transition phase during which she was brought up to speed with a detailed document and meetings about the work that had taken place.
"I was able to be immersed in my 12-week leave experience, and my only job was to heal and to get to know my baby, and also get to know myself in my new role as a mom," Rugo says. "[Then] I was able to onboard myself back into my role, and know what was happening and how my team was supported while I was gone."
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High-level support benefits employees and the company
Knowing her work was in good hands offered peace of mind not just to Rugo, but her managers and team as well.
"I felt very comfortable that [we had] the right person [filling in]," says Lynn Tornabene, Anteriad's chief marketing and product officer. "The handoff was handled very well, we had a very clear plan of what would be covered when, and who was doing what. And I particularly appreciated the onboarding at the end, because it wasn't just onboarding the person who was on parental leave back to the company and helping them get comfortable — it was also advisory for the rest of the team on how to be sensitive to that person's transition."
The care with which the coverage and onboarding process was done meant business didn't fall behind and Rugo and her team could get back into their old rhythm quickly, says Tornabene. She notes that, though leaders may be tempted to use technology such as AI to take over when someone is away, bringing in a skilled contractor is a way to show employees — those taking leave and their team — that they are valued.
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Rugo agrees that it demonstrates she and her work matter, and it has made her even more loyal to her employer.
"Having someone come in and help shows, especially from a management level, not only is your role being really cared for, but you are as an individual as well," she says. "I wish this could be a norm for us in the United States. Knowing that you're supported is invaluable."
