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Any one else scared that having a baby will hurt their career?

Lindsey7521Lindsey7521
in 3rd Trimester

I am...I've been noticing certain things and its kinda making me nervous. I was pretty much second in command here. If my boss was gone, I was left in charge. But recently she's left another co work incharge. I not really as informed of things as I used to be. Granted I'm not worried about job security, but just that people might think I'm not quite as motivated to work since I'm having a baby. With doctors appointments all the time and 8 weeks of maternity leave coming up, I can see why my boss would shift some responsibilty to others so they'll be prepared when I'm gone. I just hope things go back to normal once I come back.

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. -FDR
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Re: Any one else scared that having a baby will hurt their career?

  • CalifloridaCaliflorida member

    do your co-workers have children?  that can be reassuring because they are more understanding. 

    i was nervous about this with my first and honestly nothing really changed. it took a bit to catch up when i returned.  and then i had breastfeeding issues, dh got kidney stones, and all sorts of little bumps in the road of taking care of DD.  so my return after maternity leave was less than stellar.  but everyone was understanding and i'm still here. :)

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  • ChicNotGeekChicNotGeek

    Same thing happened to me ... at first, I was really annoyed and paranoid about it ... until I realized that part of the reason that changes were made was because my boss had 1/2 of her responsibilities taken away from her (because senior management had little faith in her)  ... therefore, she was going to make it difficult for everyone else.  (I know that sounds paranoid, but it's true.)

    So, for now, I'm just enjoying my lessened responsibilities, enjoying the last trimester of my pregnancy, and will worry about my career after FMLA.

    And the best part is that the boss that I talked about above, isn't even my boss anymore!  I was actually transferred into a different reporting unit!  SWEET!  She's was a total beatch about my pregnancy anyway!  lol

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  • LurksgirlLurksgirl member
    I wouldn't stress about it.  I'm certainly second in command around my office and I know that they're actively trying to find someone to fill in for me during my year long absense. (it may actually end up being longer than that but I'm taking things as they come right now). I know that when I do return to work things will have changed, it's part of the office environment but I also know that I will still have a position to return to and it doesn't matter who they decide to get to fill my shoes.
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  • mybabyloveonlinemybabyloveonline
    i design childrens clothing, so having a baby will only help my career (hopefuly). put yourself if your boss's shoes. you would do the same if one of your employees was planning on being gone for 2 months. you could talk to your boss and tell her that you won't let anything affect your work responsibilities and you will assume the same position once you return.
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  • aocain02@yahoo.comaocain02@yahoo.com member
    I've talked about this with my DH often.  I work for a city and right now I know I'm stuck where I am in my career because we have a hiring freeze and so does pretty much every other local city.  Once the economy and state budget crisis starts to get better in California, if an opportunity for advancement were to come, I would not go for it.  I already have to attend night meetings and when things are going good my job can be pretty stressful.  I would rather focus on my family now and keep my position (I'd even bump down a position!) and once my baby and future kids are older focus on my career.
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  • megs68megs68 member
    Yes, absolutely.  No one in my dept has young children and my boss doesn't have any kids, so it's definitely going to make that more difficult.  I was considering going part-time and sat with my boss to discuss it and was told that if I decided to push for that (which would be a huge push anyway, since no one at our company works part-time or reduced hours) that I would not be able to get a promotion.  I'm definitely concerned with how it'll be once I come back from leave.
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  • MSE82005MSE82005
    I can honestly say that at first I did worry about this.  I just put in for a promotion to my old boss's job (she left after having multiples), and are hoping they will make a decision before I actually leave for maternity leave.  The timing couldn't really be worse.  BUT--after a lot of soul searching I realized that it doesn't really matter.  I believe that things happen for a reason, and if I don't get the promotion, then for some reason, I wasn't meant to get it.  Maybe I don't need the additional responsibility with just having a newborn--or maybe it wasn't the "right" job.  As long as you have confidence in yourself and your abilities, things will work out--whether they work out where you are or somewhere else.  Don't worry about the shifting responsibilties--it makes sense--it just may not feel great while it's going on.
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