Work Situation - why do I always make the worst decision?

[Darkedonlinen]

Worked in my company for 5 years. The advantages are it’s a big organisation and the perks are good, very flexible.

Two years ago I made an internal sideways move to a new department. The work was ok, but the department was losing a lot of money and clients so there was no investment into it from senior leaders. In the meantime in my old department I saw my peers get promoted sometimes twice and I was going nowhere.

An opportunity came up again to move back to old department in a new team. At the time they said within three months they would look to promote me due to my existing experience. This was almost a year ago. Due to business pressures promotions in this team are on hold and now, the other department is having lots of money thrown at it with loads of new jobs and promotions!! So I’m in exactly the same place as I was two years ago. I hate the new team, I’m micromanaged and feel so frustrated.

To further complicate things I’ve just started maternity leave so feel helpless to make change but also so disappointed and behind in my career path. I’ve been stuck that this level for 3 years now and most people move on after 18 months ish. I always get awarded the top performance descriptor so it’s not my work.

AIBU to wonder why I always seem to make the wrong decision? And what would be the best way forward now? My DH keeps telling me to forget it and focus on maternity leave for now but I feel so incredibly down about myself and my failed career, it consumes a lot of my thoughts and I don’t see a way out or forward.

I would forget about it and focus on maternity leave, then look at moving to a different company when you return. The sideways move did you no favours, you’ve not been promoted in 5 years, time to seek a job at a higher level in a different company.

I’m worried that I’ll never find another job role especially with a child. But not sure if this is just my irrational brain talking! I have been promoted a few times but not in the last few years.

Why are you thinking about work on mat leave? I reckon this is baby blues. Speak to your midwife or gp.

I had 2 young kids and two long recent mat leaves. Still been promoted 3 times since then. Having a baby makes no difference these days to career progression.

I haven’t had my baby yet! It could be the time sitting around causing me to overthink

Yeah find something else to do. You'll soon be a super busy new mum hopefully overjoyed and filled with happiness with your new baby. The career can wait - you are NOT a failure and you have plenty of time to build up your career when you go back to work. Enjoy your mat leave x

But you must have moved to another department for a reason. What was your thinking behind it at the time?
I'm only asking because I've been guilty in the past of putting on the old rose coloured spectacles!
Wishing you the very best with your new baby and future career (try not to be so hard on yourself though!) x

I had not made massive progress before having a child (and was 32 at that point) I tool voluntary redundancy after mat leave (great package - a year's salary untaxed) and after an extra year off I got a new job and really excelled - a further move after 5 years to a new company and 3 roles and a further promotion later I am on just under triple my pre child salary - no reason you can't progress with a child.