my job is totally stressing me out

burghbaby

I knew the whole time I have been pregnant that right before I went out would be crazy.  I work in benefits and it's open enrollment season so that means my life is totally nuts normally this time of year... and couple that with trying to get ready to go on maternity leave... I'm so stressed!

After having news that I had some progress (2cm 50% effaced and -1 station) last week... everyone at work was telling me to stop exercising and no sex so I don't leave them too early.  I want to tell them that the stress of my job is going to do more to cause early labor than my 3 mile walks would do!

Not to mention that I am quickly realizing I have offered to do too much of my job while I am on leave.  I am basically the only one at our company who does what I do.  I have one person who works with me on the benefits stuff but she's not really all that cooperative about taking over certain things for me while I am out.  She was trying to get me to travel around an hour and a half from my hospital to hold meetings for our employees when I would be 39+ weeks pregnant.  I had to really argue about it to get her to cover those meetings.  She's a whole other story because I have covered 90% of these meetings the last few years because she had kids and I didn't so it was easier for me.  Now when I am asking her to do 70% of the meetings (I am still doing quite a few myself in the next 2 weeks) she gives me crap!

I'm in the process of writing down all the things I do that need to be covered while I am out... and I plan to stick to it.  I am doing more than enough from home.  I'm a first time mom... I don't know what I am in for with a new baby yet!

Sorry to vent!  Is anyone with me and just totally fed up with their jobs?  I just want to be able to worry about getting ready for my baby...not this stupid job that doesn't even pay me enough to be this stressed!

crysbena

I'm so sorry...that does sound really stressful and you really don't need the stress right now. 

FYI, if you are taking FMLA for maternity leave, it's actually a liability for your company to be asking you to do work ANY of the time.  My company has a strict policy on this so I'm "officially" coming back part time at about 6 wks and stretching out my leave.  I say "officially" because this just means I will be allowed to return calls and respond to e-mails.  Are you taking FMLA?

burghbaby

I monitor my company's FMLA so I more than aware of what I am "entitled to." (I don't mean that in a snarky way at all if it sounds like that)  Unfortunately I am stupid and have offered to continue doing certain things because it is more trouble to train someone and clean up their messes when I get back.  So I can really blame myself for my workload during leave.  I am just trying to minimize it at the last minute and it's not going so well  

gallerygirl

I think you have put way too much pressure on yourself. You should talk to your supervisor and let them know that unfortunately, you won't be able to counted on during your leave.

It may take more work to train people, but can you try to itemize how duties are carried out that you normally do? Try writing out the processes while you are currently doing them to leave behind for this lady. Also, talk to your doctor about travel. I know I'm not to go further than 2 hours away after 32 weeks and that window gets smaller the closer I get to the EDD. 

Forget about offending people or letting them down, you need to take care of you first and your LO. That includes mentally after the baby comes. I can see them taking advantage of you while you are on leave and that is unfair to you and your baby girl.

 You have a few more weeks to prepare... start delegating and getting some support from your management. This lady should get off her high horse and step up to the plate. She is just being lazy. GL!