To think my boss shouldn't be logging in a doing work whilst on Parental Leave?

[ThisChickenLastsForever]

Boss is on parental leave for unspecified amount of time, up to 1 year. All good. Left 3 weeks ago. I am stepping into their shoes in their absence to keep things ticking along. However, it is quite clear that boss has been logging in and completing tasks these past 3 weeks. Is answering emails, approving invoices etc. this is not part of any approved KIT days.
This is a problem because I go to do tasks and discover they're already done. And have wasted my time finding out about things, deciding a resolution etc only to find out that boss has already said "do this" or things have been actioned on systems (easily seen form audit logs and the like).
Frustrating for sure!

My bosses boss is just ignoring my messages asking about this. Have emailed though to say seeing as there's no response to my previous concerns about this, then I will assume that all tasks will be completed by my boss and I won't be doing them due to the time I'm wasting... Iam doing almost two roles in my part time hours, so efficient use of my time is vital)

AIBU to think they shouldn't be doing this? Or is it perfectly fine for them to decide to work "secretly"?

Has the baby arrived yet? I imagine jt will calm down once they have a newborn to look after.

Baby arrived 3 weeks ago.

Things might get missed if there are 2 of you stepping on each other's toes and you might get thr blame.

Your boss needs to step back completely.

I hate stuff like this. DH boss is on long term sick but keeps sending out messages and getting involved in stuff. Leads to duplication and errors. Boss’ boss quite happy as it stops them having to do stuff. But it’s completely not allowed to work when you are officially off.

Can you go to HR for advice?

This is partly my concern that something gets missed or worse I speak to an external client and make us look like idiots because boss has already emailed them with information etc.
I refuse to be blamed for anything, have already stated that as I had zero handover, and have limited access to some systems ) that if something goes completely it's up as a result of it all, I'm not being blamed. (and yes I have written proof that I asked, multiple times, far in advance of baby's arrival for the handover and access...)

Can you not just email your boss and ask what they are doing and what you don't need to do because its already being done?

Contact IT and get the one on leave's access blocked. They do that as standard in my company and only reset it for KIT days. Stops this sort of stuff happened. Get it done ASAP.

I have emailed, I have had no response

You'd do that to your boss?

The issue is you not knowing the work had been done and sent to clients. You should be copied in to avoid this. So work out how to find out the work is done before you duplicate it. Trying to stop them doing the work seems pointless (and not something most people would do to their boss)

When you say boss what is the company/firm you work in ie. private limited company or partnership. If a partnership they own the firm so can do what they want. If a limited company even then if they a major shareholder again in effect it is their company so its up to then.

If however they are just mid management level in a larger firm then take it up with their superiors.

Go to boss's boss or if they exist. Are you being paid extra for stepping up?

My bosses boss is just ignoring my messages asking about this. Have emailed though to say seeing as there's no response to my previous concerns about this, then I will assume that all tasks will be completed by my boss and I won't be doing them due to the time I'm wasting.

Well there’s a few things here.

IMO they dont think you’re up to muster or they don’t trust you. If either the boss or your bosses boss thought you could do it, this wouldn’t be happening.

BUT I imagine they expect that now you’re acting up that you resolve this yourself and not go to seniors. Tbh I’d be unamused if someone came to me about something like this. You’re acting up. It’s your job to sort this

If you actually sent an email saying you wouldn’t do the extra work, then if my point 1 is right this is just going to reinforce their view of you.

This really. It shouldn't happen but it is human nature, unless you hate each other you should be able to find a way to rub along. Your boss probably needs time to adapt, to let go a bit, they are probably worried about loosing touch and falling behind. You need to ask they copy you into things and and maybe ask for some advice now and then (even if you don't need it), perhaps send them updates that go from weekly to monthly and then stop, just to wean them off. Your boss is probably insecure at the moment,

It says you emailed your bosses boss. Did you email your boss, the person who is logging on?

This would be a massive red flag at my company and I'd be expected to escalate to compliance especially if it's related to payment of invoices.

This is bizarre and legally problematic.

Ask for a f2f with bosses boss who presumably you report into now....
Outline the situation and ask how you are expected to proceed / work efficiently.

Id also raise the issue of the law and the companies duty of care.
Your boss sounds like she either is a workaholic, anxious about losing her job/being replaced or might be unwell/avoiding her baby. Either way work has a duty of care they are not meeting by ignoring this.

I doubt this will continue as the baby becomes more aware, awake and mobile to be honest.

I do think it makes a difference if your boss is the mother or the non-birthing partner (male or female). They’ll still be running on adrenaline at 3 weeks and babies don’t do much at that age (don’t get me wrong, the broken sleep is a killer but it’s very much eat, sleep, poo). If they’ve just given birth, even if they’re doing well, they’ll still be recovering. And it that’s the case I’d thrill the employer would have duty of care.

If it’s the non birthing partner then are they taking leave in order to share the load or so that the mother can go back to work? That’s different again. Because looking after a child on your own is obviously much more demanding.

Sorry that this is happening, I’d be wary of criticising your boss. I had something similar (boss taking on my work) and I ended up being fired.

That’s rubbish, this is all about the boss not about her and his inability to be properly off. To be honest , I can imagine a lot of men doing it on paternity leave, he’s not had the baby, he’s not ill or abroad so fairly natural to check in. What’s not on is him not replying or copying op in. He may be conscious that he didn’t do a handover and be thinking shit I forgot x let me just login oh whilst I’m here I’ll just answer a few emails.

Agree with this and a good way to handle. They might be feeling bad at the lack of handover so feel they are in some way helping/making amends, but cocking it up a bit in the baby haze!

I've emailed both people.

What did HR say about it when you contacted them?

So what do I do. I e asked my boss for clarification. No response. I've asked his boss. No response.

I am part time and supposed to be doing essentially 2 jobs. 40% of my time is wasted at the moment. And I'm falling behind in other key tasks, because I've had to undo the work I've done because nobody has kept me in the loop.

My last "instructions" from Big Boss were you're number 1 so so what is needed. Which I have been doing. But it's becoming an issue because Boss is just doing work whilst on leave and not telling anyone anything about it. I'm not the only one this is affecting.

I feel like if he's said "You're the boss so do what's needed" then he's giving you rein to make a judgement call about this.

Contact IT and get them to limit access for the person on paternity leave.

Let them know you are doing it because they have been asked to stop logging in and completing tasks as it is disrupting workflow.

Have you followed up with boss's supervisor? Spoken to them in person? Your email may have got lost in a sea of thousands.
Just saying 'I'm not doing it now' makes you sound like a petulant child.

Exactly as @Weetabbix said. He’s telling you to sort it - it’s up to you how you take his request. You can limit Boss’ IT access or you can speak to him and make clear it’s causing problems. If he doesn’t respond, then you need to decide what to do next.

Either way, big boss wants you to fix it and saying ‘I won’t do this work’ is not fixing it - it does, unfortunately, come across as petulant.