Boss

[Charlottelouisa]

This is more of a 'is my boss being unreasonable'
I started my maternity leave in July and gave birth to my daughter in august, I've planned to take the full year off.
As I work as a pa for a small company, I deal with every bit of paperwork and accounts etc. Before leaving I left my boss a spreadsheet of what I do on a day to day basis detailing absolutely everything so either 1. He would do it or 2. Get someone else in to do it.
However I did say to him that once the baby is born and if he really needed my help I'd do a few hours from home here and there.
When my daughter was 3 weeks old he texted me asking me to do some work , but at that same time realised my laptop had packed up and I only have an iPad as an alternative (which does not support the kind of stuff that I need to be doing) I explained this to my boss expecting him to provide me with one of works laptops (it's a computer company) but he asked me to come in and said I can bring baby. I did this and did 3 hours work .
Now he is texting me saying that i need to sort paperwork for accountants and that this urgent? He knows I have 2 children and I explained I've had a bit of a mad week 1. Eldest daughter sprained her ankle at gymnastics then 2. baby come down with a cold and cough. This adding on to no sleep you can imagine how I'm feeling. Anyway after explaining all of this , he said can I get a baby sitter sorted asap to go in (not asking how my baby is or anything)
And he hasn't even paid me for the hours I did last month (not a lot but that's not the point)
So I need some advice? Is he being u???
And how do I handle this without causing friction for when I see him next?

Thanks and sorry for the long post!!

[TheSparrowhawk]

You're on maternity leave. Tell him to bog off.

[myoriginal3]

Tell him on what terms you are willing to work.
Spell it out

[idontlikealdi]

You're on ML, he needs to sort it out for himself. Small company or not at the moment it's not your responsibility.

[ChuckGravestones]

Unless these are KIT days, you risk bringing your mat leave to an end by going in.

[Trifleorbust]

You need to reset expectations with him. You are on maternity leave and willing to do a small amount of mutually agreed work from home. You expect to be paid for this work (separately to any maternity pay, since you are entitled to this without working). I would start saying, "Sorry, I'm not going to be able to help this time" unless you genuinely don't mind doing it. And remind, remind, remind about payment. Don't do any further work unless he pays you.

[CockacidalManiac]

He needs to pull his head out of his arse and sort this out himself. You're on ML.

[Trifleorbust]

And do check the legality of doing work for your employer without ending your mat leave, yes.

[Charlottelouisa]

Also when I last went in his comment was 'I'm quite surprised you had another baby to be honest as I didn't think you was planning one' as if it annoyed him. Like it's anything to do with him like I must discuss my plans with him first !!

[Bunnyhipsdontliegrl]

You're on maternity leave. He needs to sort this out himself. Cheeky bastard.

Remind hind him you're on maternity leave and wish him good luck finding a temp replacement

[golfbuggy]

TBH I think you've created this problem yourself by saying you would help if needed. He therefore legitimately thinks he can call on you.

I'd simply say that unfortunately you're not able to do any more ad-hoc work for him, but will let him know your return date after maternity leave as soon as you've decided what it is. I know you don't have to, but it would I guess be helpful to tell him how long you are thinking you might take off so he can plan accordingly.

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

In my opinion you shouldn't have said you would be willing to work for him while on mat leave. I know you were probably trying to be accommodating but you would be better off setting boundaries and protecting your rights. You can do keeping in touch days but you can only do 10 of those I think.

[TheSparrowhawk]

What a cheeky bastard! How dare he say that about you having another baby.

[Milklollies]

I agree with potato salad. When you give people an inch they take a mile.

[mamatiger2016]

You're on maternity leave, unless you're on a keep in touch day you shouldn't be doing any work for him. I understand you offered to do work ad hoc but this isn't your problem, it's his, he should have arranged maternity cover if he really couldn't manage without someone to do your role whilst you are off.

Tell him that maternity leave means you aren't working, you will arrange keep in touch days (if they offer these) in advance and you must be paid for these days.

He is taking the piss and has no right to comment on you having children etc..

[NapQueen]

I think you need to email him and ask about booking in specific KIT leave days. If you want to. If not, say that the arrangemet isnt working and you hadnt anticipated how little of your time you would have spare "thabk heavens for maternity leave" kind of way, and say you look forward to your return on X date.