Returning after parental leave or a career break: interim assignments as a bridge

Short answer: Returning to work as a lawyer after parental leave or a career break often works best through an interim assignment: a clearly defined role with an agreed workload, end date and point of contact. Staff leasing and freelancing are both available part-time or full-time, so you can start with a reduced workload; in Germany, part-time work of up to 32 hours a week is even allowed during parental leave (§ 15(4) BEEG). What matters is up-to-date knowledge, a profile built on concrete tasks and a short, open explanation of the break.

This guide is for lawyers and compliance professionals in Switzerland and Germany returning after parental leave, maternity leave, a sabbatical, caring responsibilities or illness. It explains why interim assignments help, which roles suit part-time work and how to refresh your knowledge and profile.

Why interim assignments make returning easier

Interim assignments make returning easier because the task, workload and duration are set from the start. You work on a specific need, such as cover or a project, and decide what comes next once the assignment ends.

• Clear framework: companies bring in interim support for a defined need, so expectations about results and scope are usually tangible.
• Current experience: an assignment of a few months fills the gap in your CV with recent work.
• Test a new setting: you can change sector, company size or practice area without committing straight away.
• Route to a permanent role: moving to the client is possible. In Switzerland, clauses that make this harder are void (Art. 19(5) AVG); in Germany, hiring bans are invalid (§ 9(1) no. 3 AÜG).
• Employment or self-employment: in staff leasing you are employed and covered by social security; as a freelancer you work on your own responsibility. The differences are explained in Interim and project work for lawyers.

Part-time assignments: which roles fit

Part-time assignments fit best where the volume is predictable and short-notice escalation is rare. For cover roles with heavy day-to-day work, companies tend to expect a high workload; for projects and specialist topics, part-time is more common.

These bands are general editorial guidance, not a fixed rule and not a commitment for any particular assignment. You agree the workload with the company in each case. Clarify early how much on-site presence is needed and whether you can work remotely.

Legal points around family leave

• Germany: during parental leave (Elternzeit), part-time work of up to 32 hours a week on a monthly average is allowed (§ 15(4) BEEG). If you want to do this part-time work for another company or on a self-employed basis rather than for your current employer, clarify the requirements with your current employer in advance and record the outcome in writing.
• Switzerland: new mothers may not work for 8 weeks after giving birth and, until week 16, only with their consent (Art. 35a(3) ArG). Maternity compensation is paid for 98 days from the birth (Art. 16c EOG). Check with your compensation office (Ausgleichskasse) before you start how an earlier return to work affects the compensation.

Refreshing your knowledge

The fastest way to catch up is to work through what has changed in your practice area since your break began. A list of changes is more valuable than a broad course.

1. Map the changes: which laws, circulars or leading decisions are new in your area? In Switzerland, for example, in-house legal departments have had a right to refuse cooperation in civil proceedings since 1 January 2025 (Art. 167a ZPO).
2. Know the regulatory drivers: many interim projects revolve around DORA, NIS2, the EU AI Act and AML/KYC. A working knowledge of these opens up more assignments.
3. Practise the tools: contract management systems, data rooms, KYC and screening tools, AI assistants. List the ones you can use in your profile.
4. Train briefly and visibly: a specialist seminar, certificate course or conference shows you are up to date.
5. Reactivate your network: former colleagues and managers know where new needs are emerging.

Sharpening your profile

A return-to-work profile shows first what you can do and explains the break in one line. Companies read interim profiles by tasks, practice areas and results, not by unbroken dates.

• The break in one line: for example "Parental leave, 2024–2026; data protection law course 2026". No justification paragraph.
• Tasks, not titles: which contracts, proceedings, projects or reviews did you lead or handle?
• Practice areas, sectors, languages: brief and specific, such as "contract law, data protection; industry, financial services; German, English, French".
• Working model: preferred workload, days, remote share, staff leasing or freelancing.

How to structure an interim CV in detail is covered in CV and profile for interim assignments.

Alpinum Solutions provides legal and compliance professionals to companies in Switzerland, Germany and Austria through staff leasing and freelancing, part-time or full-time and at every level of seniority. You manage your profile, availability and documents in AlpinumHub.

Frequently asked questions about returning to work through interim assignments

Are there part-time interim assignments?

Yes. Staff leasing and freelancing are both available part-time or full-time. Roles with a predictable volume suit part-time well, such as contract work, data protection, policy projects or a fractional mandate. Agree fixed working days, response times and cover. For cover roles with heavy day-to-day work, companies tend to expect a high workload, which you clarify in the interview.

How do I explain a gap in my CV?

Briefly, factually and in the right place. One line with the period and the reason is enough, such as "parental leave" or "caring for a relative". Add anything you did professionally during that time, such as a course. No justification or apology is needed. It matters more that your tasks and results before the break are clearly described.

Can I take on an assignment during parental leave?

In Germany, part-time work of up to 32 hours a week on a monthly average is allowed during parental leave (§ 15(4) BEEG). If you want to work for another company or as a self-employed person, agree this with your current employer in advance. In Switzerland, a work ban applies for 8 weeks after birth (Art. 35a(3) ArG). Check the effect on your maternity compensation with your compensation office before you start.

How long should my first assignment be?

It depends on the need. Interim assignments run from a few weeks to several months or longer. For a return to work, an assignment of a few months often makes sense: long enough to make an impact and earn references, short enough to adjust your workload or direction afterwards.

Next step

If you want to return, create your profile and state your preferred workload, practice areas and earliest start date.

• Careers: legal and compliance jobs for project lawyers
• AlpinumHub: manage your profile and documents
• Interim and project work for lawyers: getting started
• CV and profile for interim assignments

Last updated: 30 October 2026.