Reaching breaking point before mat leave

[katelewis320]

Hello,

This is a bit of a random post and I don't want to be all negative but just needed to sound off or I'll go crazy. I'm due to start mat leave at 37 weeks (I'm currently at 30 weeks) and am feeling so under pressure at work.
My employers are piling on even more work to give me as they know I'll be going but the more my pregnancy progresses the more difficult I'm finding it. They are asking me to write a full training plan for my mat leave replacement and travel to other branches to deliver training for my role. I am willing to do this but can't help thinking that surely my managers should really be in charge of training my replacement? I'm only in administrative role and don't get paid very much. The maternity pay package is the bare minimum as well if 90% full pay for 6 weeks and then SMP.

I keep telling myself to be positive and suck it up but I find myself fearing going in to work as I don't know what other tasks they will give me as well as my day job (which is already frantic). I'm kind of focusing on that rather than enjoying my pregnancy and my other half has noticed how stressed I've become.
I don't really know what I'm expecting in way of reply on this forum. Maybe it will make me feel a little better to know others are in a similiar position!

[Imbroglio]

Have you spoken to your manager about how they would like you to prioritise your work? Eg could they get someone else to take on your routine tasks while you prepare the training plans?

[katelewis320]

Hello thanks for replying.
I work in a recruitment office and I look after admin for the branch. My colleagues are all salespeople and wouldn't be allowed to assist with admin as they are encouraged to be on the phones or on site visits. Plus a lot of them can't even do their own admin properly - which they admit themselves.
I did try speaking to my manager about it as we have a good relationship but I'm quite a mild mannered person and when I tried to discuss it she just kind of flattered me saying that I'm the only one she trusts. This is all good and well but I'm getting very tired and don't relish the idea of traipsing about various offices delivering training. I will of course do what I am told as it's not in my nature to be difficult but it's just causing me a lot of resentment and to be completely honest I just want my maternity leave to start!!

[isupposeitsverynice]

Tell them no and hint that the stress of trying to fulfill the request could see you signed off sick earlier than you'd like to start maternity leave. I really don't think all the traveling around is a reasonable request to make of someone in the end stages of pregnancy, working a basic admin job!

[Laststop]

Ah it rough , you need to point out to the manager you feeling tired ect and would like your activity reduced to a slower pace to help to actually complete them without burning yourself out , I have just moved my mat leave from 37 weeks to 36 weeks and I am counting down the days

[PeachBellini123]

That's not fair at all. Please talk to your manager and if it comes to it HR.

[nothoughts]

It is hard by the end. Have they done a risk a new and expectant mothers risk assessment? If not remind them they (as I understand it) are legally required to. If they have ask have ask for it to be reviewed in light of this increase in workload or your increasing tiredness. This page covers the things that should be considered and may help give you a framework for the conversation.
www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm#q19
It might be worth involving HR as they may need to educate your manager of their responsibilities. In my experience managers often don't understand their responsibilities and gentle reminder from HR really helps.

[Trifleorbust]

Explain that you are happy to continue to fulfil the demands of your usual role. However, you are not able at the moment to take on the additional responsibilities of training others, unless that is provisioned in your usual working day by the removal of other responsibilities. Do this in writing and keep it very professional and polite. Put your foot down.