Community› The Bump Month Clubs› November 2011 Moms
November 2011 Moms
New Discussion

Opinions Wanted Re: Work Situation...

megan.e.jensen@gmail.commegan.e.jensen@gmail.com member
in November 2011 Moms

So I'm 3 weeks into being a new mom, and I receive an email from my boss saying that my assistant (hired at the end of the summer to replace former assistant and train to fill my position temporarily while I am on leave) resigned today effective a week from today. 

I am going into the office tomorrow am to discuss the situation.  We are a small office, and my assistant was covering for me in my absence.  The tentative plan was that I would return to the job after the New Year, on a part-time basis, working from home.

I was given 6 wks of maternity leave, 2 of which they would pay me for, and the other 4 I am collecting short term disability. 

My boss is putting an ad out for a replacement ASAP, but the position requires extensive training that only I am able to give.

I know that this situation should provide me some kind of leverage...it's just I can't think of how to use this to my advantage.  I am sure the question will come up about me doing work during my maternity leave, and probably after as well...and not on just a part-time basis either.  Right now, I can't even fathom working part time, much less full time, as I have NO time with a 3 week old.  But there is literally no one who is capable of doing my job at the office other than me.  We are a small company.

Any thoughts out there?  The lack of sleep has fogged my brain, and I'm already stressing out on a work/mommy future that I had not intended on.  Sad

Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Report Reply to Post

Re: Opinions Wanted Re: Work Situation...

  • Christine&MarioChristine&Mario member

    Agh, sorry you're going through this!

    I'm kind of an @$$hole, but my feeling is that it's not your problem, it's your boss's problem. Any work you do could potentially put your short term disability pay in jeopardy (check your policy to be sure). If I were you, I'd let it ride, not even give it a second thought, and enjoy your maternity leave. If they try to cause you drama or fire you when you come back, you have the law on your side.

    Also, you might cross-post on the working moms board? 

    Mom to E, 11/2011 - Severe egg & dairy allergies, soy intolerance *** Stepmom to G, 2001
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • mcintyr1mcintyr1

    i agree with the previous poster... but...

    I know exactly what you mean. the person they had covering for me during my maternity leave up and quit with no notice while i was gone. They didn't get anyone to replace her.  Thankfully i had no idea... otherwise i would have stressed about it. but when i came back i had an ungodly amount of work waiting for me. like enough that i'll literally never get caught up. so beware, if you just ignore it and go about your business, be prepared for a crap ton of stuff to be waiting for you.

    Good luck!

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="D
    Report Reply
  • MrsBini10MrsBini10

    I know it's hard, but I would ignore it completely and let them deal with it. This is the only time you'll ever have to bond with your brand new baby. They'll manage. 

    I read an article once about how women have a tendency to feel obligated to their employers and to feel "only I can do xyz" when in fact it is not that big a deal to get someone else up to speed.

    I'm a teacher and when my LO came a month early I had no time to get plans ready for the sub who has been there for 6 weeks now. I am a total control freak about my classroom and kept thinking I should write up instructions and plans but, well, I was kinda busy having a baby, recovering from a c/s, being up all night with feedings etc.  So although I felt guilty (and God knows what my classroom and kids will be like when i go back on Monday!) I resolved to just let it go. I was not being paid for this time and I deserve to spend it getting to know my baby. Jobs, classrooms and such will come and go but I can never get that special baby time back. 

    Report Reply
  • AugustbrideAugustbride
    life at work will go on dont offer to do work while out. I have been trying to do something for 2 weeks that takes me a few hours typically. I m going into the office tomorrow to see if I can get it done.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • AllieCat16AllieCat16 member
    i agree with all the pp's....this is not your problem and unfortunately those are the consequences your company has to figure out for not having a plan b. in my job, i am responsible for filling all of my open positions and if someone up and quits, i have to deal with it and make it work. ask yourself...what if you never went back? they would have to figure it out anyway, so dont feel guilty and take this time to be with your baby
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Report Reply
  • Andrea Cohoon Andrea Cohoon member
    imageMrsBini10:

    I know it's hard, but I would ignore it completely and let them deal with it. This is the only time you'll ever have to bond with your brand new baby. They'll manage. 

    I read an article once about how women have a tendency to feel obligated to their employers and to feel "only I can do xyz" when in fact it is not that big a deal to get someone else up to speed.

    I'm a teacher and when my LO came a month early I had no time to get plans ready for the sub who has been there for 6 weeks now. I am a total control freak about my classroom and kept thinking I should write up instructions and plans but, well, I was kinda busy having a baby, recovering from a c/s, being up all night with feedings etc.  So although I felt guilty (and God knows what my classroom and kids will be like when i go back on Monday!) I resolved to just let it go. I was not being paid for this time and I deserve to spend it getting to know my baby. Jobs, classrooms and such will come and go but I can never get that special baby time back. 

    I'm a teacher also and a complete freak about my classroom and the 75 students I am responsible for educating.  However, like you, most of my leave is unpaid.  I'm petrified of the mess I'll come back to in January; however, this is my time with my baby and I will never, ever get this back.  My job, although I love it and am so devoted to it, can kiss my butt for the next six weeks.

     Your unpaid time with baby is far more important than worrying about your job.  They'll figure it out.  Your maternity leave is a legal right and your boss will have to deal. I understand your feelings about wanting to help your company and make it easy for them, but, again, not really your problem.  It might be a mess to sort through when you return, but worry about it then.  Spend every second with your little guy and enjoy it!

     

    Report Reply
  • mrsjenniferg2010mrsjenniferg2010 member
    I would just let my job deal with it. Babies grow so fast and you should get to spend as much time as possible.
    ~I Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers
    Posting from an Android sorry for any errors
    Report Reply
  • SporkmoostipeSporkmoostipe

    Learn from my mistake; let your job deal with it. While I was on bedrest the last month of my pregnancy, I was still techincally working; taking aggravating phone calls, dealing with the bull crap that came along with it. I was on the phone with my assistant after EVERY meeting to talk him through stuff. I arranged to have coverage for everything while I was gone up until the new year. I put in writing to all the nuns and priests I work with that I will not be available for consultation. 

    ....Aaaaaaaaaand 4 days after I had my Little Guy, I was already back at work. My assistant quit and my other assistant is about as useful as a sack of crap and could not handle what doing my job for a few days. I'm frustrated and angry with my boss for calling me back in, 4 days pp.  

    Granted my job is a part time job, but this is time I will not be getting back with my son. He promises me time off in the next few months to make up for the sh!t that hit the fan, but still; it might be too little, too late then. 

    You need to stand up for yourself and for your RIGHT to a maternity leave.  

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"