"I've let you attend Maternity Appointments"

[HB2019]

Just a rant.
TL;DR my boss is a dick

I've got 17 working days left before my maternity leave starts, currently 34w4d. My manager used to ask me what my plans for my maternity cover were. I kept saying "I think that's your job" (to plan for the impact to the team) anyways we haven't really resolved what to do about my cover and I'm getting increasingly stressed that I can't hand over my busy job to anyone so today I went to him and said "I'm thinking of using some holiday days before my leave starts as I feel generally unsupported" he said:

"I've been letting you work from home and attend your maternity appointments so I don't know why you feel unsupported"

I've worked from home twice when I've had a consultant and a midwife appointment in the middle of the day over an hour away from my job, but that's not the point, i said "I think you've got to let me attend those, it's more that I want to perform training and a handover but my cover hasn't been sorted"

Anyways I'm now using a fortnights holiday for weeks 36&37 and starting maternity at week 38 which may mean I'm off for AGES before the baby is born but at least I'll be de-stressed

And relax

He’s a dick but once you’re off don’t worry about who’s covering for you. That’s his problem not yours so if he can’t be arsed sorting it then he’s the one who’ll have to deal with the fallout. His own worst enemy.

I disagree that maternity cover isn't your problem. The person will be doing your job so while ultimately you're unlikely to be in a position to make the decision, I think it would be appropriate for you to offer suggested solutions to your manager about managing it - it's your job and you know it best so you'd have the best ideas on how to manage it. So I can see how he might think you haven't actually been all that helpful while getting ready for maternity leave.

And while the comment was a bit crass as "letting" you work from home or do maternity appointments is the bare minimum, I'm not sure that as your manager I'd be that impressed if you came in and announced changes to your departure because you were "feeling unsupported"

The 'letting' OP attend maternity appointments comment wasn't just a little bit crass - boss is legally obliged to allow maternity appointments.

As for maternity cover - it would be OP's job to ensure that there are instructions and SOPs for whoever comes in to cover, but recruiting someone is her boss's job. I can see how she feels a bit unsupported.

I tend to agree. It is partly up to you to have a maternity cover plan. At least some input. It's your job ?
Also you say you're stressed because no-one is in place for you to hand over your busy job too so your answer is to just leave even earlier? .
How does that help ?
Unless you don't plan on returning thats not really a great idea.

Your bosses comments about the appointments are moot however he has to let you have those.

It is the managers job to manage, it's definitely not an employees job to arrange their own maternity cover or holiday cover or any other type of absence. The op has offered to train someone and the manager hasn't dealt with it, so he will have to deal with it when she's not there to help. Enjoy the rest op and your baby when it arrives.

I sympathise OP - I’m in a similar situation about handover, although my employer has been great about antenatal appointments (but they should be!)

As a PP says, providing an adequate handover is your job, but identifying and providing cover is theirs. My employee struggles with this distinction as well.

I tend to agree. It is partly up to you to have a maternity cover plan. But if her boss hasn't even put it to 'tender' how can she?

Also you say you're stressed because no-one is in place for you to hand over your busy job too so your answer is to just leave even earlier? confused.
How does that help ?

I suspect it helps her stress levels a lot. And may concentrate her bosses mind on the realities of his job!

It's unlikely to be OP's job to recruit cover. And if someone came to me saying they were feeling unsupported, l would feel more concerned than unimpressed.

Your maternity cover is your managers problem not yours. If they haven't found someone then sod them. Leave some guidance notes and let them work it out!

you say you're stressed because no-one is in place for you to hand over your busy job too so your answer is to just leave even earlier?

Sounds like the OP has been pushed into it.

Is there an HR, OP? If so then they should surely have been involved from the start.

I don't understand the hands off approach to maternity cover. It's YOUR job. And you have to do the handover. Why wouldn't you want to make it as easy as possible. So, if what is going to happen is that they'll be hiring someone, why not proactively offer to manage that process? Prepare the job spec, engage with headhunters etc. Even do initial interviews and briefings? if they're NOT going to hire specifically, think about how you think your work could be parcelled out and what can be ditched. Make recommendations and get the ball rolling. If nothing else, it makes your life easier because handover is likely to be a lot quicker and more painless and there's a better chance of your maternity cover not screwing up your job.

Your boss didn't 'let' you attend you antenatal appointments, it's the sodding law! Working from home is slightly different but would (AFAIK) be covered 'suitable adjustments'

Depending on your job, the cover for maternity leave isn't your problem, I've worked mainly in call centres where there's 100+ other people doing the same job so your workload is simply absorbed by the other staff. I'd seek professional advice from your union or ACAS

This happened to me. By the time they had advertised for maternity cover there were only 3 months left. Unsurprisingly, no one applied.
I wasn't stressed that there was no one to hand over but I gave them a handover document that listed everything I do and all the things that were coming up that needed attention. Beyond that, not my problem.
So YANBU, you've tried to raise the issue and are obviously getting nowhere. Enjoy your mat leave, you won't even think about work while you're off!

but does the OP actually have the power to appoint her replacement?!

if not, then surely it's up to management and HR to do that bit and then OP does the handover?

OP he sounds a right wanker.

Just write extensive guidance notes and leave him to it. Not much else you can do really.

I had to write a comprehensive handover with step by step instructions to do my job because cover wasn't sorted. Could you do something like this?

I suppose it depends on the role, but I would rather an employee wrapped up as much outstanding work as possible before leaving, rather than writing up job specs, arranging interviews etc.. (which they wouldn't be able to do anyway)

I don't think it's your job to find your mat cover. Working with the person who does the recruiting about what experience the temp would need.

OP just make a handover pack.
Plenty of people start jobs with no handover, (myself included)
It happens, it's doable.
Don't stress yourself

If what is going to happen is that they'll be hiring someone, why not proactively offer to manage that process? Prepare the job spec, engage with headhunters etc. Even do initial interviews and briefings?
I think OP might need to clarify for whom she works and at what level. There is no way I'm many jobs it would be appropriate to write up a job spec and start interviewing people

Isn't it the manager and HR's job to cover maternity leave? It is in my workplace.

Make recommendations and get the ball rolling Even do initial interviews and briefings?

PMSL - never worked for a Local Authority have you BlingLoving Employee initiative is deeply frowned upon, and don't even dream about doing something outside your own pay grade!

"I think OP might need to clarify for whom she works and at what level. There is no way I'm many jobs it would be appropriate to write up a job spec and start interviewing people"

exactly. they might not even get cover!

Plenty of people start jobs with no handover
This. I went on maternity leave 3 weeks early with no notice. Poor guy hadn't even started, I'd written no notes, jobs I intended to complete were half finished and there was only me in my role. They'll cope, they'll have to. They won't stop doing everything for a year

I work for a large international company and I’d have no say at all in my maternity cover. That goes for the whole company. Your line manager sorts it and then, if they sort it in time, you might get to train the replacement. In no way would I be allowed to recruit or organise my own cover.

I'm not sure that as your manager I'd be that impressed if you came in and announced changes to your departure because you were "feeling unsupported"

A good manager would ask what needed to be put in place. Only someone brittle and defensive would insist their employee should be grateful they complied with employment law.