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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I’m pushing it with my employer?

259 replies

NameChanged25 · 14/01/2025 23:44

….even though they haven’t said anything?

i returned from mat leave 6 months ago, full time desk job with some management responsibilities (it’s well paid).
im meant to be in the office 3 days a week but manage 2 max due to juggling pickups and drop offs (the commute is long and I need to do either pickup or drop off and DH does the opposite)
the other problem is, I seem to have so many childcare issues, with DC being unwell, appointments, can’t go to nursery because he’s vomited, has temperature etc etc. for example this week he’s had a chest infection and I have him at home with me so working is really difficult. He’s always seems to have some bug or another which affects my ability to work. DH does what he can but is self employed and travels a lot so more of the docs appointments and childcare falls on me. I get paid for ‘emergency childcare’ and it’s quite informal so no official record of how much time I’m out and I just get my normal salary regardless.

spoke to my employer again this week, and they were supportive and said don’t worry, can’t be helped etc, but I mentioned that I don’t think my performance / productivity is up to scratch because I’m taking so much time out for DC. They did also acknowledge as a small team we are falling short and responses are slower, output is less but “don’t worry - you need to give your little one time to adjust to nursery / build their immune system and we understand can’t be helped, the work/team improvements can wait - just do what you can for now”
so I feel the messages are a bit mixed. Since I’ve returned the team have been given extra work which I am effectively expected to take on, but basically the 3 other team members are picking up more than they did when I was on leave, and I think my boss is trying to balance their building resentment with supporting me.

YABU - it’s fine, they have not explicitly said there is a problem so just carry on and hope DC’s immune system gets better
YANBU - I’m taking the mick, and I’m soon going to be fired

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 15/01/2025 00:00

NameChanged25 · 14/01/2025 23:55

but DH will lose money and reputation if he misses work - he is a decorator. I get paid a salary which is not affected if I miss work.

That's not your employer's problem. If you are going to retain credibility at work he'll have to shoulder more of the responsibility.

Proudestmumofone1 · 14/01/2025 23:56

NameChanged25 · 14/01/2025 23:55

but DH will lose money and reputation if he misses work - he is a decorator. I get paid a salary which is not affected if I miss work.

obviously this doesn’t make sense - you will lose money if you lose your job?

of course they aren’t going to allow you to keep looking after your child whilst working.

Warringahvoter · 14/01/2025 23:56

For your employer, your job is as important to them as your husband’s job is to him. He needs to step up and do his share. Can’t stand it when women treat their jobs as hobby jobs, while their husband carries on as normal.

NameChanged25 · 14/01/2025 23:55

Hello39 · 14/01/2025 23:51

Your dh is self employed, you are well paid, he needs to do his share.

We used a child minder and avoided the nursery bugs.

but DH will lose money and reputation if he misses work - he is a decorator. I get paid a salary which is not affected if I miss work.

OP posts:
78Summer · 14/01/2025 23:54

Sounds difficult but they are supporting you in the hope that things will improve and you will be able to give back two fold and be your usual fantastic self. Hopefully it is a winter blip of bugs and things will get better. We are not robots and real life happens.

cadburyegg · 14/01/2025 23:53

Your dh needs to step up more

Hello39 · 14/01/2025 23:51

Your dh is self employed, you are well paid, he needs to do his share.

We used a child minder and avoided the nursery bugs.

NameChanged25 · 14/01/2025 23:49

Sorry I do have a full time nursery space for him, it’s just most weeks he can’t go at least a couple of days due to illness, as goon as he gets over one bug he is well for a week max then catches something else and has to miss nursery

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 14/01/2025 23:47

They’re saying what they need to say to avoid maternity discrimination allegations. You know you’re not performing so address it by getting childcare for your little one so you can work while you’re WFH.