input appreciated re- performance review and bad performance due to tiredness during PG

[tostaky]

im due in November and my annual performance review is due before mid-october.
Until August (6 month PG) i was doing fine at work, i took maybe 2-3 days off sick in the first 3 months of my pregnancy but thats it.

I've trained the person who is taking over from me and he is doing very well.

but my brain has turned to mush and i cant concentrate since august/septembre and i've "let down" my boss on a few occasions recently. I've also taken about 3-4 days off sick since august (ie today i have a cold and i'm half working form home and im planning to charge this as sick leave).

My boss is great but he can be an ass and make me feel like shit.
I know that during my review he is going to dismiss my achievements and focus on the last couple of months when i havent done much...

what can i say that doesnt sound too bad about me losing my concentration and drive over the last couple of months?
How do i ensure that my achievements are recognised?
How do i ensure that my poor performance since August doesnt affect too much my potential pay rise? (London childcare costs are HUGE)

i appreciate some advice!!

Thank you

[tostaky]

oh yes and i feel very tired... hence th eloss of concentration... like i often fall asleep on the tube back home because im so knackered... sometimes i have a nap in the loo too because i cant fight the tiredness... no amount of fresh orange juice can help...and i limit my caffeine intake to one cup a day, strategically drunk when needed most.

[rookiemater]

Ok, I would schedule some time with him before your annual performance review.

When I do reviews with staff I have generally thought quite hard about what I want to say and whilst its a two way discussion, it would be reasonably hard to change me at that point.

I would approach it from a positive point of view, perhaps discuss the days sickness rather than launching in about losing concentration. Do say that you have been finding it difficult in pregnancy but you have been working as hard as you possibly can. I would outline your achievements at that point and gently remind him of the stuff you have done up to then.

Also remember if your boss is unhappy with your performance, it is his responsibility to bring it up at the time, a big mantra at our place is "no surprises at appraisals" so if he hasn't said anything specific to you then you would be justifiably annoyed if it was brought up for the first time at appraisal.

TBH most managers are terrified of putting a foot wrong with a pg member of staff. Its likely you will get whatever the average score is, which sounds fair on the basis that you have had a couple of ropey months (sorry if thats too blunt).