To be annoyed my maternity cover is doing too good a job

[MrsWifty]

I think I probably am, but bear with me.

As of a couple of months ago, nobody was doing my maternity cover. Then my friend was made redundant, and so I gave her some help briefing her in order to approach my boss to ask if she could step in (it wasn't advertised). She gets the job, all well and good.

But now, it's becoming apparent from Facebook references that she's working insane hours - not just much longer than I did, but also wildly antisocial (weekend evenings, until 11.30pm on at least one occasion).

It's annoying in as much as anyone doing a better as good a job as you did would be. But I'm also worried that my boss, who is notoriously hostile to working parents, will either expect me to take on similar working arrangements on my return - or that I may find myself shunted out of the job altogether.

So is it just sour grapes, and I should wish her well - or should I have a quiet word and ask her to tone down the excessive enthusiasm?

[HecateGoddessOfTheNight]

You can't possibly ask her to do that. You'd look like a nut

She's clearly trying to impress, isn't she? Do you think she's hoping they'll have a job for her?

[ohgawdherewegoagain]

There's another possibility; maybe she is struggling to do the good job you did in the same hours you worked ..... I would just enjoy your maternity leave, concentrate on your baby and sort out the job when you are due to go back!

[catgirl1976]

YANBU.. Mine is doing a shite job and I couldn;t be happier.

You never know though - she might get on everyones nerves with her OTT enthusiasm. Plus - you can always point out how great you are, managing to get everything done in normal working hours, whislt -just to keep up - she has to work every hour god sends.........she's just not that good or efficient is she :)

[troisgarcons]

My maternity cover shagged the boss ... got herself over promoted, took a marvellous redundnacy package, then married him. All orchestrated for their own financial benefit!

[troisgarcons]

Oh and! She had the brass neck to tell me I ws "disgusting" coming back to work when I was married and "had a husband to keep me"

[tiredfeet]

Yabu. Speaking as someone who is currently on a maternity cover contract, I'm sure she knows she can't take your job, and I hope she wouldn't want to, but yes she is probably hoping she impresses enough to be offered a permanent job.

[tiredfeet]

Yabu. Speaking as someone who is currently on a maternity cover contract, I'm sure she knows she can't take your job, and I hope she wouldn't want to, but yes she is probably hoping she impresses enough to be offered a permanent job.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I was a fab maternity leave cover and now I'm head of department

The person I was covering for also fab btw, and came back part time. Everyone's a winner.

[MrsMuddyPuddles]

Wouldn't that be for the best, though? Your friend keeps the job with the hostile boss, you get the massive settlement for illegal discrimination?

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I'm not getting a maternity cover. My job is being permanently split between two new posts so I'll be lucky to go back to anything at all, never mind excessive hours

[MrsWifty]

Hecate yep, you're probably right - but then that wouldn't be far from the truth.

catgirl and ohgawd ah, that hadn't occurred to me ...

troisgarcons - the cheek! Did you wish you'd shagged him first?

tiredfeet - sadly, there are no other jobs, quite the opposite in fact, but maybe she doesn't realise that yet.

[MrsWifty]

MrsM that would be lovely, let's hope if HB does try that he fucks it up.

[otchayaniye]

she can't be doing that fantastic a job if she's titting about on facebook

[Pudding2be]

Well my mat cover is my DP.

If he does get a permanent job when I return I will be his senior . Should I make him my brew boy??

Seriously I wouldn't worry at all. Hopefully all will be well when you return and you won't have a mess to clear up