to be worried about maternity leave

[Becca82]

Basically my boss is a bit of a slave driver and thinks that life revolves around being at work. He works every weekend and doesn't see why everyone else wants a break. The problem is he sometimes contacts me out of work hours for work related matters and like a plonker i have answered his calls in the past so he expects it all the time now. I am now dreading my maternity leave as I just know he will be calling me all the time even though there will be a temp taking my place. Advice please

Don't answer the phone?

OR

Answer the phone and say "Don't be silly, Barry, (or whoever) I'm on maternity leave now, of course I can't deal with that! I can certainly deal with that when I return in August 2011 (or whenever).

OR

Change your number and "forget" to tell him?

OR

Return calls at least a week later when the "crisis" has passed, claiming you got taken up with dealing with the baby at the time of getting the message.

HTH!

There are guidelines about contacting staff during maternity leave. This might help.

I would say don't answer the phone, or if you do say 'I need to go now my baby needs me'. Baby crying in background should give him a hint!

Check your maternity policy for what constitutes 'reasonable contact' - if it accords with the Equality & Human Rights' Commission's definition it will not put ANY obligation on you to return calls/be in contact.

Before you go on ML I would send a nice email to your boss asking that you be kept informed of (insert what you want...suitable alternative vacancies - if you think there is any chance of redundancy while on ML/ training events/social events you may want to use your KIT days for/receive departmental newsletters etc) via email (set up a new address if you wish [email protected] etc and you can forward this to your normal address) which you will try and check from time to time. This will send the message that you are not 'on call' and that the only permitted method of communication with you is via this email address that you have said you will be checking sporadically. I would also inform him that you will let him know when the baby is born so that he can inform HR.

This will set the boundaries and ascertain his responsibilities with regard to 'reasonable contact'.

I have recently had a nightmare with this, dealing with a bullying line manager who emailed within a week of me giving birth to demand I come into work for my end of year appraisal (WTF!) and due to this and other harassment am now neck deep in litigation and wish I'd had some advice previously on what reasonable contact is.

Thanks for replying. I kind of knew the responses i would get. Will just have to man up and deal with it....by not answering the phone, lol. Thanks again for your replies, i am new by the way and expecting my first child

People in my office used to phone all the time I never answered the phone and only replied to voicemails if I wanted too. For instance new girl being really stuck trying to do something and boss being horrible so phoned me in tears from toilets got a reply. Boss being lazy and just wanted a quick answer rather than finding out for themseleves got ignored.