What to do on KIT days?

[Kentlassie]

I’m due back at work on 1 Sept. Manager has emailed to ask when I’m planning to do KIT days and how I’m planning to spend them. I have no idea….

Am I supposed to go to meetings as if I were working? Are KIT days more for informal catch ups?

Separately, is it wrong to take baby with me or is that frowned upon? Having to find/ pay for childcare to have an unnecessary day at work seems silly. I guess it wouldn’t work to have him in meetings.

You don't need to do any of them, it's totally your choice.

You don’t have to take kit days, so if you don’t wanna do them just say so.

You absolutely cannot take a baby to a kit day 😂
You also don't have to do any! I won't be and I didn't last time either.

I'd use them to meet with relevant people - my manager, people that report into me - to find out what big things have happened while I was on leave & any projects that are in progress and useful to know about before jumping back in.

But also, as PP said, you don't have to use them. It probably depends a lot on the type of job you do whether it's useful or not.

They are paid days though - so when you're at the end of maternity leave, a couple full pay days could be useful enough to make up some meetings

Your manager isn't obliged to offer them, and you're not obliged to accept them.

They can be useful if your team is having a big meeting that's covering changes in the team or the wider organisation, or new policies, or something where you'd want to be kept aware of it rather than just catching up on your return. (Or you could just catch up on your return, if that's what you'd prefer).

I don't think they're helpful for just doing work, or having coffee and a catch up. As you say, you'd be arranging childcare, so it should be worth your while.

Definitely don't take your baby in though. A KIT day is a paid work day, not a catch up with colleagues while they coo over your baby day.

They are entirely optional

You can't take a baby! You do get paid for them though so can put that to childcare.

I didn't do any, lots of people don't.

I did a few and found them helpful; I went in at ten, picked up a hot coffee, said hi to everyone and cleared out emails, had a lovely peaceful lunch and left at 3:30.

It made day one back less daunting.

Definitely no babies though.

As pp says Kit days are paid, which is nice when you are in the latter part of your maternity leave. They are useful for seeing colleagues and I would expect your manager to work with you on what you do. If there is a monthly team meeting you can plan to go in on that day. Also any team training or team building days / half days. I spent one of mine helping to sort out the files for an office move, it was just nice to see my colleagues before being officially back at work.

I used them for catch up meetings, and also offered to help out the team with a couple of busy project launch days. It was nice to get back into the swing of things and get paid. I believe you should also be paid for a full day even if you just come in for an hour or two meeting.

At our work you get paid a full days salary for each KIT day, nobody expects you to put in a days work. It’s usually spent catching up with everyone.
And you can absolutely take your baby in on your KIT day where I work.

In our team I authorise KIT days for my team who attend a team meeting online as well. It helps ease back into work life.

I’ve encouraged my team to use their KIT days when their mat pay goes down to SMP.

you need to find out what the policy is at your workplace.

They are not compulsory but it may be a good idea a couple of months before your return to schedule 2-3 to set up your return, your can't take your baby with you, it's work

Thank you. I will see if there are any big/ interesting (!) meetings coming up that would warrant a KIT day. I didn’t do any on my last mat leave (everyone was wfh during lockdown) so this is all new to me.

As others said, not compulsory but seems good they are reminding you. I’d ask if there are upcoming team days / bigger
meetings? And depends on what you’re doing on the day re if you take baby. If it’s informal catch ups, prob fine. Maybe not if more formal meetings

Like others have said, go in for team meetings or big events. Depends on what your job is. I didn’t do any when on mat leave as everyone was working from home, but would definitely make use of them now. My boss is on mat leave at the moment and comes in about once a month.

Assume no baby. It is meant to be work. Not compulsory. Can be nice to see colleagues. You should be paid a whole day even if you only work part of the day. Actually makes quite a lot of difference to get a full days pay when you’re on the SMP/unpaid bit.

I am doing one for a staff away day where the plan is to thrash out some current big issues, one interviewing for new staff, one conference, one updating some training and one as a favour to cover a time we know is going to be really busy.

See link for general info. In particular re payment for KIT days, it says "The type of work and pay employees get should be agreed before they come into work.":

KIT days - Government Guidance

Yes, they pay a full day even if I do a few hours. I feel silly even asking these questions (thanks for the help!) but I guess I’m worried about going in and feeling like a spare part. I work in professional services and would happily go in for a staff away day, training etc. I had asked to be kept in the loop on any days like this that might be worth attending, but will respond to my boss asking again if there are.

They're worth doing as you're paid for them - a big top up for the month if you're usually on a decent wage but are surviving on SMP in the later part of your leave

If your company is anything like mine, you could easily spend a day resetting passwords and getting back access to systems that has been revoked through not being used.

I would use them to: go to important meeting, training, events.

'Back to work catch up chats with relevant colleagues, catching up with external contacts, sending emails that you are returning to work on this date and looking forward to working with them etc'

Re-signing policies etc

Setting up your workspaces, checking logins etc

Catching up with any CPD, seeing if there is any learning offered.

Just a mini re-induction really.

Ways I used KIT days:

My manager invited me to monthly team meetings, and allowed me to bring the baby. I stayed for about an hour, then went to catch up with other colleagues and then to lunch offsite with my manger for her to fill me in on significant news.

Job interview (got it!) - left DS with a friend

Line manager came to see me at home

Colleagues came to see me at home

Team build in a public park - took both DC

Second mat leave we underwent major restructuring and moved offices - line manager asked me to come in for a day of change management mtgs, with baby. She felt it was important that I had opportunity to see/hear plans first hand. It was long before video conferencing! Obvs I removed myself when dd became unsettled, but she was very good.

I think the significant words above are "she" and "her". My line manager during that period of my career was amazing. She was an engineer and mother, and absolutely championed everyone's potential to be an effective working parent.

I did a lot of mine near the end of my leave when my pay was next to nothing to help top up my wages.
I attended meetings, caught up with colleagues, did some work which was easy to dip in and out of (I work
In admin so there are always simple tasks which are laborious but easy).