Colleague working on maternity leave

[samanth1989]

I am on maternity leave as is my colleague, we work for an insurance company. I've noticed that my colleague is often carrying out work duties, answering emails, sitting in on calls etc. Before anyone asks, this is outside the standard KIT days that everyone is entitled to. AIBU to fell annoyed at this as it sets a president and expectation for other members of the team who are currently on mat leave (now and in the future).

For context, my colleague is known to be very ambitious and competitive so I am assuming she is doing this to get ahead.

AIBU?

It's up to her.

You are well within your rights not to follow suit and you cannot be discriminated against for it.

I think you're projecting.

Maybe she's bored out of her mind on maternity leave? I was. I did bits of work here and there for that reason.

I've noticed that my colleague is often carrying out work duties, answering emails, sitting in on calls etc.

How have you noticed all this?

She’s being very unwise and is only setting her own precedent (president, lol). Leave her to get on with it and enjoy your mat leave, you don’t get them very often!

sorry for the typo

Yep, maybe she needs something to do.

I still have access to my emails

So you know she’s checking her emails because you’re…checking your emails?

🤡

If you've noticed this then you're clearly checking your emails too.

Let your colleague do as she likes. Maybe she's bored; maybe she feels it's important to keep her hand in, but it's nothing to do with you.

So you're also doing emails and sitting in on calls the same as her?!

If you have noticed then surely you are working too?

It's up to her surely if she wants to keep her hand in and up to date with what is going on or effect a proper handover.

No

Stop checking them! Stop caring, stop thinking about work, stop spying on your colleague, just… stop.

I would say it's up to her and I wouldn't say it sets a precedent but outside of your KiT days, I don't think you're allowed to work on maternity leave. I am certainly not allowed!

No, I can see the emails as they pop up on my phone.

Yabu. She has every right to do that if that’s what she wants to do.

Technically she is breaking the law but she’s unlikely to get caught out.

Stock checking your emails. You have better things to do!

Not your business. Beak out.
And clearly you are looking at your work emails too.

You're not allowed to work whilst on maternity leave - both of you need to delete your email access!

So you're still checking your work mobile and paying enough attention to know its not just innane emails from her but that she's actually going to meetings etc. But SHE'S put of order for making you look like a slacker???

Im surprised work allow it of they're covering her leave, and if they're not perhaps she's got an agreement with them.

If she comes back to work and gets the next promotion because she's kept her hand in and herself up to sate then yo u have to accept that that's what dedication gets you.

So your colleague is sitting in on calls and answering emails and you are checking your emails? And your both on mat leave?

I think there is a problem with your company culture. Normally people finish up, hand over to their cover and go on mat leave. They can keep up with what's going on generally with KIT days, but nothing too specific

Why haven't you disabled them? Maybe she is in the same position but answers because she knows the answer and it's quicker.

Even if you’re using a work mobile personally, you can offload the email temporarily. Come back and see us when you’re not a hypocrite 🤷🏻‍♀️
And even then we’ll tell you to keep your beak out.

Surely the emails will only come up if they're sent to you? Why is anyone sending you/copying you into emails when you're on mat leave???

In my organisation the email automatically gets locked if it's not used for a month. I thought lots of companies did that too?

If she's working more than the allowed 10 KIT days, her maternity pay (SMP at least) will stop.