To include parental leave in cover letter?

[worrying48923]

Hi everyone. I graduated with a decent degree and then a year later married and had my son. Now I’m returning to work but there is a sizeable gap in my work experience. I’m talking 4+ years. To be honest my career never really took off.

Is it crass to include this sentence at the end of my cover letters/supporting statement:

“I am excited to return to work following my parental leave and to contribute to the smooth functioning of [the facility]” ?

Thanks

Parental leave is a specific thing, not a synonym for maternity leave. And it sounds like you left work altogether rather than being on leave for four years?

It's not a bad idea to explain a four year gap but I wouldn't use this phrasing. "I'm looking forward to returning to work after a career break for caring responsibilities" or something.

Honestly - no. In theory you shouldn't be discriminated against, in reality, you probably will be, unless you have been doing training or voluntary work of something employers would be interested in during your SAHM years.

@MeowCatPleaseMeowBack Yes you're right I did leave work and considered myself a SAHM ... so I can't use the phrase "parental leave" then

Yes, say "career break for caring responsibilities". No more. All they want and need to know is that the time out was voluntary and not because you were in prison or got yourself blackballed in your industry or something.

I agree you can’t use parental leave because that’s already known as a specific thing with its own rules. There’s nothing wrong with saying you had a career break or time away from the workplace to raise your small children.

to explain the gap ( you will have to otherwise its a red flag for the prospective employer ) just say “Career break to undertake caring responsibilities” don’t even need to mention it was for childcare.

I wouldn't, as parental leave is a specific thing (like annual leave or compassionate leave) and could be confusing.

You should always cover gaps in employment otherwise the recruiter will wonder. When I do recruitment I always check the time frames for each job they put down and make sure there aren't any significant gaps.
I agree with a pp career break with caring
responsibilities sounds better the parental leave. Only because like another poster mentioned at a lot of companies parental leave is a specific thing.

Thanks everyone. Will include it with the amendments you suggested.