Maternity Cover Dilemma

[pinkpepperclove]

My employer has advertised my maternity cover as a role more junior than my own. While Similar in wording in the job spec, I know from the salary banding and the candidates we have seen that they don’t have the same level of experience as myself.

I am feeling uneasy when it comes to training as there will be elements of my role they don’t have experience in and there’s only so much hand over time.. I can’t train them.

Im feeling a bit put out that I’m expected to micromanage a business decision which is financially based. I kind of want to point out “you’re not getting like for like here” so to set expectations that who ever gets the role, things in the department will slip.

I’m also being a brat that I’ve got enough on my plate preparing for a baby, I don’t want to have to second guess a years worth of work scenarios (which feels like babysitting) while I am away because the strategic planning just won’t be done.

I feel a bit disrespected that they assume they can replace me in this way without expecting anything to be missed. And I know there will be the naysayers who will tell me “well the person might step up” we’re talking a sizeable difference in experience that comes with time.

any thoughts on what I should say to my boss?

Personally I'd mention concerns and then step back. It's not your job to work out how a person will need supporting. I expect it will affect those around you more. Will some more senior colleagues take on the harder aspects while you're away? As detail is scarce, it's difficult to tell. If a large organisation, it might be absorbed easily, but you could see how those people feel.

There might be other reasons they're not recruiting at your level. Perhaps thry've previously found a lack of senior candidates apply for a temporary mat cover position, so they're being realistic as can't have duplicate positions at the senior level on you return.

They may be doing the dirty? Hiring a lower paid candidate in a *different but similar job role paying less then when you return your old job isn't available. Wrong but employers do it all the time. I've had 3 children each 8 years apart working for different employers at the times and have never had a good pregnancy experience at work.

This did cross my mind, not going to lie.. It's such a hard thing to deal with, I want to do a good job, but also have a hint of "Not My Problem"