Annoyed that my maternity cover wants to complain about work

[lboogy]

Exactly that really. My mat cover contacted me to complain about work. I did invite her to contact me initially when I left but that was just being polite and I figured 6 months in she would've figured it's not appropriate to contact me about work.

It seems she's suggesting the role is changing and maybe wants to give me a heads up or she's looking for someone to vent to. Either way I think she's out of order.

AIBU to be annoyed she's bothering me with work issues?

She should not be in touch with you.

Cut short any conversations by politely telling her you are on maternity leave and have no child care so can't talk. Then give her a name to contact about her issues.

In future don't say things you don't mean as some people will take them literally.

Not sure really.. if you are going to be returning to the role don’t you want to be aware of what’s going on

Well if they are significantly changing the role in a way that could disadvantage you then surely its better you know now, it could be discrimination. Better to have her on your side if that is the case as she would be your main witness.

Don't invite people to contact you if you don't mean it OP.
Also you need to wait until you know why she is contacting you, it could be to give you a useful heads up.

I think I’d want to know if major changes are afoot. But then, maybe she just wants to drive you away so she can have your job permanently.

I know several people who were made redundant on returning from mat leave, they knew nothing until the first day back. It may well just be a moan but on the off chance it isn't you should reserve judgement.

How dreadful of her to give you the heads up about your job.

I’d be grateful, but then I don’t think maternity leave is some special opt out of the real world. I’d WANT to know if things were changing in MY job, if I didn’t I’d leave.

‍🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh come on .... she contacted you to scare you about your job and probably hoping you don't return!

Okay maybe I am being cynical ... but why else would she contact you?

I may be off-kilter here, but surely 'maternity leave' means that you're intending to return to the role? In which case, consulting with you about current changes/issues is relevant? Surely she's a caretaker for your job and therefore is giving you a heads-up to what's going on... right or wrong...

Depends I guess on whether it's a job or a career. If it's a career then she's helping you, not bugging you (6 months in I think it's not classed as bugging you, merely keeping you in the loop).

Are you intending to leave the role?

So...are you complaining about somebody doing something that you invited them to do?

I'm assuming they emailed you or similar, rather than breenging into your house, btw.

Oh come on .... she contacted you to scare you about your job and probably hoping you don't return!

Oh piffle! If I wanted someone's job in this situation, then I wouldn't be forwarning/forearming them with any information, good or bad!!

I think this person sounds as though she's thinking about op's 'end of' maternity leave being imminent and therefore being helpful. Op no longer cares about her job so doesn't want to know the ins and outs. And why isn't op's other collegues letting her know the ins and outs?!

Just asking...

Please also bear in mind that for those of us who are long-term contractors/freelancers by choice (and who DEFINITELY don't want somebody else's job), workplace f*ck-ups can cause problems for us too, as we may well have other roles set up.

Why do some MNetters assume that all contractors are the employee equivalent of frustrated spinsters, endlessly plotting over how to steal somebody else's job?

You invited her to contact you. She contacts you. You are not happy? YABU.

This is what KIT days are for and it should be your manager contacting you if necessary, not whoever is covering your role.