Concerns about missing work during maternity leave?

CocoR04

Hello!  I'm a newbie, due to have my first child in January, and I plan to return to work full-time after 12 weeks of maternity leave.

I am the sole manager of the digital media for a large company and my coworkers and managers are freaking out about my leave.  They are making quite a few changes in the structure of my job before I leave and I'm worried about what I'm going to come back to.

For instance, after working independently for five years (with glowing reviews), my job has been transformed into a "digital media team" with a coworker acting as my supervisor.  This is strange because she has no experience in digital media. 

They are also planning on hiring another full-time person for me to train, take my place when I'm out, and share my job when I return to work.

It will be nice to have some help with my previous overwhelming duties, but after leading this department for so long, I feel I'm being demoted simply because I'll be out for 12 weeks.

Has anyone else been worried about changes in your job post-maternity leave?  Were you worried about missing that time at work?  Should you have been worried?

 

brewcitybride

Honestly, I think you will feel different once you have your baby. I barely thought about work at all, of course, I wasn't dealing with as many changes as it sounds like you are. Will you have more answers in the next 2-3 months before you have your baby that will at least alleviate some of your anxiety?

sarahandtim

brewcitybride:

Honestly, I think you will feel different once you have your baby. I barely thought about work at all

That's what I thought too. I was so worried about everything and then when I started my leave I barely gave it a second thought.

michaelaskedlauren

I had my son last January and was in a slightly similar situation. I too am a department of one. No one else in my company does my job. I did all that I could to prepare my bosses and those enlisted to cover my duties while I was out.

I was nervous about it and thought I would come back to a shitshow (I kind of did, but not nearly as bad as I had thought), but honestly once I had my son work was not a concern at.all. It is hard to put yourself in that mindset before your baby comes, but once it does all the work concerns become waaaay less important.

Enjoy your maternity leave as much as you can (it goes fast) and deal with work when you get back. Good luck!

jlaOK

I wouldn't worry about work while you are away.  They will manage and you will have more than enough to think about with a new LO without thinking about work.  I would, however, speak with your supervisor about how those changes will continue once you return.

Ms5586

I really wouldn't worry about it - they're going to have to change a bunch of things since you'll be out, so the work gets done.

My biggest thing was when coming back (even see if you can have a meeting the week before you come back?), have a meeting with everyone involved and ask for full status updates to projects, an who is responsible for what, and where your involvement will be going forward.

CocoR04

Thank you for all of your advice!  I love hearing from those who have been there before.  Being a normal (paranoid) FTM, I am worrying about everything from labor to returning to work.

I will try to get some more solid answers about my job expectations between now and the time I leave - even just to know what I'll be expected to do when I get back.  I'll be part of the hiring process for the new person, which is somewhat of a relief.

I've enjoyed reading your posts on this board, prepping for my new life as a working mom.  You have been very helpful! 

itsmevkb

It sounds to me as though you aren't as concerned about what happens while you are gone but what you will be coming back to.  I, for one, would be concerned as well if I thought I'd be coming back into a lesser position.

Is the coworker who is now your supervisor had her job longer and that is why she was made your supervisor despite lack of experience in your area?

I would want to know clearly what your position will be when you return and I would have discussions with your boss regarding how you plan on returning and performing to the same extent you always have.  I would want to know that I wouldn't be coming back and all of a sudden the new person who you are going to train is in a position superior to yours.

preciousmetal

I understand your concerns. After having all 3 of my kids, I've come back to the office to find my manager has gotten so used to taking care of all my daily duties that she is reluctant to give anything back to me. I end up sitting at my desk the first few weeks straining to find things to do. Oh, and ALL the stuff on my desk gets stolen. After I had my 2nd child, I had to get a new staple remover, stapler, trash can...it was crazy.

Honestly, it's no big deal. Things will get back into a good groove once you settle back in. The clients still get attended to, and the world keeps on spinning. The best part is that your clients will come to recognize that YOU bring something special to the company, and that keeps them coming back. Your job might change, but not all change is bad. And it will be great for you to have some help. After all, you're about to have a lot on your mind. GL.