Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To be annoyed by work colleagues contacting me while on maternity leave?

52 replies

maternitart · 16/06/2013 21:04

On holiday last week - while on mat leave too - I received two phone calls, a number of emails to my personal account and a text regarding work from 3 different people. I'm 7 months into my leave and don't plan to return for a while. It's clear my personal number and email have been given out even to colleagues who I don't know or haven't really met.

I do check my work email from time to time too. I've just had an email from a colleague saying that apparently I've agreed to do a client conference call this week, and a client meeting next month, and what time can I do the call? (This is all bollocks - I haven't agreed to anything - but relates to the call/email/texts I got in the last week and it seems something has been promised without checking with me.)

It's hard as I'm friends with some of the colleagues in question and I don't want to be a prat about it, but to me maternity leave is sacred, I'll never get this time back, and I actually find it quite stressful when I get these requests saying they NEED me to help (I was not replaced when I went on leave) or that they've already set up meetings for me with clients!

I have done some KIT days, and I am happy to consider them if they suit me (i.e. the work load is realistic, I can help and I can sort childcare), but AIBU to be pissed off at this, that they assume I am available? What are my legal rights? Should I just suck it up as I should be grateful to have a job?

(NC'ed as this might out me)

OP posts:

Original poster

maternitart · 17/06/2013 06:09

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I really appreciate it and there's some good stuff in there.

I started checking my work email regularly as I'd agreed to do a KIT day and the colleague I was working with for that particular project sent me more than 60 (!) emails regarding it.

Then, once I stopped checking it so regularly, but not before I'd been reduced to tears at feeling like there was an expectation for me to read and reply daily (at the time my LO was growth spurting), that's when the emails/calls to my personal mail and number started.

I'm going to contact HR and make them aware that someone is distributing my personal number, perhaps in error, and fwd the latest email on.

I have had a reply to it now saying that it was a case of crossed wires and jumping the gun, but it would be great if you could get involved and what time can they call me tomorrow...

OP posts:

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 17/06/2013 06:16

Tell them to sod off, you're on maternity leave.

Finola1step · 17/06/2013 06:26

Good grief. They are not getting the message, are they? I think you now have to reply hard and swift. State that you are on maternity leave and will not be responding to any and all work communication until xx date.

And stick to it.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 17/06/2013 06:26

Oh and you shouldn't be working outside any KIT days, which you don't have to take btw.

KIT days are to help ease you back into work. Your colleagues should not be asking you to do any work outside of these.

TimeofChange · 17/06/2013 06:27

Are you on SMP or enhanced, ie the company are paying you more?

If there are future redundancies you don't want to be in the firing line.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 17/06/2013 06:43

You can't make someone redundant because they won't do work on mat leave!

Nip it in the bud now, it'll get worse as they'll expect it.

missnevermind · 17/06/2013 06:45

I started checking my work email regularly as I'd agreed to do a KIT day and the colleague I was working with for that particular project sent me more than 60 (!) emails regarding it.

This could be regarded as harassment as you are not actually working in the office at this time.

Lizzabadger · 17/06/2013 06:48

Do you work for an American company? I am not sure they really get the concept of maternity leave.

I think you should show a bit of willingness to help out (presumably they are paying you after all and you want to stay on good terms). However you need to decide the boundaries of what you can offer and make these clear politely.

AuntieStella · 17/06/2013 06:57

You need to tell th olleague who sent you all those emails that working a "Keep In Touch" day means just that. One day. Keeping in touch.

And you are unable to handle mails other than during on day itself, say you at deleting all of them, as you are on ML and the demands of a 7month baby make this impossible. You will have childcare in place for when you return, but have none at present. The colleague will need to arrange briefing for you which can be handled adequately on the day itself.

You might also wan to ensure there is someone sensible arranging your activities on the KIT days, so expectations of what you will do will be achievable within the normal working day, and allow Tom for training on new systems etc.

foreverondiet · 17/06/2013 07:09

Remember that for a kit day you get paid for a whole day even if its only a couple of hours work. Personally I would have been ok with this as a) happy that I was required b) could get paid for kit day c) it would only be a few hours out of a lot of time off. I was asked to do more than you describe on each leave (2 different employers) - even on first mat leave in days before kit days. But I suppose up to you....

MimiSunshine · 17/06/2013 07:16

Just say no.
This colleague obviously had no concept of maternity leave and KIT days. They've arranged stuff and assume you may be happy to get involved, just say no. Even if you plan on going back, this isn't your problem to solve.

People are my company are the same, if someone is off sick, there are a couple of people in my team who sympathise and then say "I'll email them, are they working from home?" It's like they have no understanding of being off work.

I'd reply back to colleague and say thank you for thinking of me but I'm unable to get involved, and you'll get in touch regarding another KIT for training / conferences day in the future.
These kind of people take advantage because they can, stop checking the work email address and replying, it enables their behaviour.

jammiedonut · 17/06/2013 07:18

Legally you can only do up to ten days as KIT. Normally these have to be agreed before you go in leave, or you agree to reasonable contact in order to set them up. You are not obliged to work them at all, and it sounds like they're taking the piss a bit as they're not giving you a reasonable notice period or even asking if you can complete them. Contact your hr department or even cab. I agreed in advance to only have kit from 6 months on, and they would be dependant on childcare etc. They were more of a way to touch base with clients and colleagues, I wouldn't be given any projects etc until I got back to work. If its bothering you that they are contacting you so much you need to tell them. They are not allowed to use it against you later, they should have hired maternity cover!

TimeofChange · 17/06/2013 07:41

Are there other employees there who have taken maternity leave and were they not replaced either?

Maybe they should have spent the money providing temporary cover rather than enhanced maternity pay.

paintyourbox · 17/06/2013 08:02

Things like this really annoy me, it's maternity leave! You are in leave! I really don't understand the "oh but they are paying you argument." For a start the government is re-imbursing them for at least part of your maternity pay (possibly all of it if on SMP) and if we wanted look at it that way, that we should do everything we are asked because we are getting paid, many people would be bombarded with work constantly on evenings and weekends- I say this as someone who recieved an email from work at 6.30am today even though its my day off and they know I will be at home with DD. I made a rod for my own back though because I let it happen right from the start so I can't change it now as I will look unreasonable!

I personally would contact HR and talk about your confidentiality being breached- your personal phone number has been given out to individuals who you do not know. Companies are required to have policies to prevent misuse of personal data.

I'd also just set up a "stock" response in word and copy and paste it for every email: Sorry that I cannot answer your query, I am currently on maternity leave and will return on mm/yy.

Or you could do what my very rich friend did and spend the last 3 months of your mat leave travelling Europe in a camper van. That may limit communication somewhat

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 17/06/2013 08:08

60 emails!!! I would be wary about what the expecations are a) on the KIT day and b) afterwards - having briefed you so fully will they "only" just want you to input on the day?...

It is clear you are seen as an important/useful member of the team/org. However, there is probably an element of asking you to do x is easier than finding the resource/briefing somebody internally. It was their choice not to get a cover....

As others have said I would ask that the various approaches from staff (known and unknown!) stop and if they want you to do KIT days for them to suggest when/what, providing some suggested guidence (eg not more than once a month etc) and you will see what childcare you can arrange. But each day will assume an hour of prep in the office, hence no need for them to send 60 emails and unfortunately you do not have the capacity to take work away with you.

Finish with you are looking forward to returning and getting stuck back in once your maternity leave is finished and your childcare is in place.

I think you said in your OP that you won't get this time back with your baby DC and that is very true.

Stay strong today and good luck.

carabos · 17/06/2013 08:20

I think they are taking the piss. What part of "maternity leave" don't they get?

I have experienced the flip side of this though. I took a contract to cover a mat leave a few years ago. For various reasons, I didn't get a handover in person from the incumbent, although I did meet her once prior to starting.

She phoned the office every day while she was off, sometimes more than once. She had asked to be copied in to every email I sent on every project and every conference call notification. She didn't just read the emails, she responded to a lot of them and dialled in to the weekly team meeting.

She had to be told to stop in the end.

Dackyduddles · 17/06/2013 08:24

Put plainly contact with u is supposed to be via line manager.

Tbh they are on very bumpy ground if you took offence or have issues in future as it can all be used as evidence. So save this stuff incase in future but also ask ur LIne manager to take control.

Original poster

maternitart · 17/06/2013 08:57

Thanks for further replies. Like a pp said I want to be flexible and helpful when I can but not make a rod for my own back in the process. And another pp very correctly pointed out that after 7 months my skills are out of date. I would probably need most of a day just to sort that for this one specific project! Which I think makes it a non starter.

I have a specific skill set which is tricky to recruit for - recruiting for mat leave is hard enough - so they didn't get anywhere with finding cover.

My line manager is great in many ways but is totally run off her feet and can be a wee bit flaky where HR and personnel matters are concerned.

I don't get paid for full KIT days btw, only the hours I actually work on a pro rata basis. I'm planning to include some of the hours spent reading the emails though ;)

I have emailed HR trying to work out where people are getting my number from. Will let you know if I get a reply.

I'm a bit of a yes-man (woman) and am quickly learning that now I'm a mum I might have to up my assertiveness!

OP posts:

PunkHedgehog · 17/06/2013 10:39

KIT days are to ensure your skills don't get out of date, they are not to help your employer out of a hole because they've failed to arrange cover.

KIT days are optional and limited to 10. A part of a day counts as a whole one of the 10 days.

Giving out your personal details is not permitted. Tell HR they need to deal with the data breach, stop the calls and ensure that nobody is storing your number without your permission.

Don't read or respond to calls or messages that don't come directly from your line manager or HR.

Say no.

PunkHedgehog · 17/06/2013 10:43

From the DWP www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-smp/working-in-your-maternity-pay/
(bolding of relevant points is mine)

"You can work under your contract of service for the employer paying you SMP for up to 10 days during your MPP without losing any SMP. These special days are known as KIT days.

KIT days are intended to help you keep in touch with your workplace and allow you to do some work during your Maternity Pay Period without affecting your SMP. They could also help ease your eventual return to work. The type of work you do could be attending work for a training course or for an appraisal interview. These are just examples, but whether you take advantage of these days is your choice. Both you and your employer should agree that you can work on those days. Your employer does not have any right to insist that you work.

Any work you do as a KIT day, even as little as half an hour for example, will be counted as a whole day for KIT days. They can be taken as single days; in blocks of two or more days; or can be taken consecutively. Once you have used up your 10 KIT days and you do any further work, you will lose a week?s SMP for the week in the Maternity Pay Period in which you have done that work. If a week in your Maternity Pay Period contains only KIT days, you will be paid SMP for that week. If a week in your Maternity Pay Period contains the last KIT day and you do a further days work in the same week for the employer paying you SMP, you will lose SMP for that week.

PunkHedgehog · 17/06/2013 10:44

And the working link ... www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-smp/working-in-your-maternity-pay/

CSIJanner · 17/06/2013 10:44

Erm - I think that they may be breaking the law for not paying you the proper amount for KIT days - I might be wrong but pretty sure that's what I read last night. You may want to check with HR.

PunkHedgehog · 17/06/2013 10:50

To clarify about the part days

"I don't get paid for full KIT days btw, only the hours I actually work on a pro rata basis. I'm planning to include some of the hours spent reading the emails though ;) "

Yes, I think that's allowed. Payment (assuming we're talking about an hourly rate on top of SMP) can be only for the time you work, not for a full day, if that's what you've agreed. But each part day still uses up a whole one of your permitted 10 days. And reading emails counts as work.

CSIJanner · 17/06/2013 10:57

"And reading emails counts as work."

Hahaha! Then they're stuffed if you count the email flood, as you said it yourself, they couldn't recruit for your skill set for maternity cover.

Karoleann · 17/06/2013 11:14

I wouldn't even bother answering them. If they feel you're not contactable, they will give up.
I did one KIT day and the phone calls got worse after that - I think its better to have a clean break until you go back.

Flip

1 2 3