Challenge
Lattice Labs had generous leave benefits, but managers still approached the return from parental leave in very different ways. Some held thoughtful check-ins and adjusted workload intentionally. Others waited for employees to raise issues first, which often meant support arrived late.
HR did not want to centralize private wellbeing information just to fix the problem. They wanted a system that improved manager behavior without turning the experience into surveillance.
Solution
The company used Preeley to standardize the manager side of the workflow:
- week-by-week return plans were created before employees came back
- milestone reminders were automatically delivered to managers
- prompts clarified what to ask, what not to ask, and which conversations should happen at each stage
HR also used the dashboard to monitor follow-through rates and identify teams that might need extra enablement.
Implementation
Lattice Labs began with a small pilot across product, design, and engineering. That gave HR enough variety to test the workflow against both desk-based teams and fast-moving release schedules.
Managers reported that the prompts were the biggest unlock. They did not need to improvise supportive language anymore. They could orient around the plan, ask the right operational questions, and leave private matters private.
Results
Within the first month, manager adoption became noticeably stronger. Check-ins happened earlier, week-three pacing conversations became more consistent, and employees reported less need to repeatedly explain what support should look like.
The People team called out one especially valuable result: the return process felt more confident without becoming heavier. Managers had more structure, not more admin burden.
“The prompts gave our managers a clear lane. Support became more consistent because the system told them exactly what good follow-through looked like.”
— Eliana Park, Director of People
CTA
The pilot showed that manager enablement does not need to be complicated. It needs timing, clarity, and a shared framework.