Workload in third trimester

[Cassjulie1986]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced, or is experiencing anything similar…

I’m 31 weeks +1 and start my maternity leave on 24th August, so still a good month+ to go. I work in quite a male dominated industry, and whilst my boss is complying with the law (I’ve checked!) I feel really frustrated how my work load seems to be increasing as the weeks go on! Just little jobs here and there every week. My boss has even said to me he needs to “get the most out of me” now before I leave!

Every day I come into work to several emails where I’m expected to assist on projects that aren’t even mine, or for some reason, my name has been put forward to complete a job.

I obviously already have my own tasks to get on with, and I do continue to manage and get through my workload according to deadlines. However, prior to becoming pregnant I was always the go-to in the office for picking up random jobs and now I feel my boss just expects me to continue with this same high level of workload when I just feel it’s totally unreasonable. I just physically cannot do the same amount I did before pregnancy. I get much more tired now, and tbh feel its time I should be handing over work and delegating some of these jobs away.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has a demanding boss also and how they have tackled that? I want to clarify that I’m not lazy, I just object to having such a packed diary and list of things to do each week, is that unreasonable of me?

Thanks,

You should be doing the same workload as everyone else but certainly not more.

Is it physical work or a desk job ??

If its physical work your job should be doing an assessment on you to see if your fit for work. And cutting your work load back accordingly. You could also get a letter from your doctor outlining what you cant do now your heavily pregnant.

If its a desk job i.e paperwork then theres no reason why you cant carry on as normal. Although if your struggling you need to have a chat with your boss. Hes not a mind reader and probably doesn't realise your not up to your usual workload.

Hi both,
Thanks for your replies. Yes its an office job. The issue I have isn't about my usual responsibilities, its the jobs I'm being asked to complete outside of my job description, the constant "helping out" of other teams that's doing my head in! and yes have spoken to boss about this but everyone is short staffed so attitude is to just get on with it.

Never mind, I guess I just wanted a moan!

I don't blame you for wanting to moan, I just went on mat leave on Friday (at 36 weeks) and the last few weeks were tough. All I can say is take each day as it comes and give yourself credit for working whilst making a human, something no man has ever done!!

You can push back on these additional requests by saying you are prioritising getting loose ends tied off before you go on mat leave. And if mat cover being hired that you are focusing on prepping handover and training the mat cover. Etc.

I wouldn't say it's due to tiredness. Push back for a business reason and you will get much more traction.

Ah, I feel for you. I work in the same type environment. Male dominated industry and a lack of resources. And it sounds like they’ve gotten used to you saying yes to doing these things, so continue to send them through because they can rely on you to get it done.

As much as it’s a huge complement they feel they can trust and rely on you for this - it’s gets to a point where it’s unreasonable and the issues in the office (the fact they need you do deal with this extra stuff) never get resolved.

It’s the same in my office - although not so much now on me. I was doing that kind of thing for years and hit a wall just before I got pregnant. I got so stressed with it all and doing extra work and responsibilities out of my role (and not getting paid extra for it) and in the end I crashed after too many years of it. I’d go into the office before 6am sometimes to try and get on top of it all.

Now I have been stronger about it and just said no. Since then I’ve noticed some opportunities are not coming my way. I find it difficult letting go of that, but I’ve got to focus on this now.

Anyway - maybe write down a list of the projects which are your responsibility and present it to your boss. Outline that these are reasonable to complete within your contracted hours, but that the additional things being thrown your way have left you firefighting your own workload. You could say that you’re concerned that once you go on mat leave that the handover will have been insufficient to allow anyone to be able to do the these tasks with confidence as you hold the project knowledge. You can focus it on being more about project continuity rather than “taking your foot off the gas”, but that in all seriousness, it’s best for you and the project team if the handover is implemented now.

I hope that helps. I probably came at it more from my own experience and I know each situation is different.

im currently 32 weeks in a very high risk pregnancy and due to leave on annual leave for 36-38 weeks before beginning maternity. I was in a similar situation, always taking on extra jobs, supporting others sick cover and actually took on an additional business unit to manage alongside my own from 12 weeks despite constant sickness.

what I’ve found now with just a few weeks left is that despite informing the business of my pregnancy at five weeks(!!) they still have no definitive plan for cover. Someone recently came back from mat leave who was given two projects to handle for the past six weeks and was du to take on all new projects from me, but has now went out on sick. I am handling ten projects across two business units and mentally cannot do it anymore.

I feel that as a woman it’s easy to put pressure on to show that you can still perform despite being pregnant. However the mental strain of knowing that you will be going through major life changes, alongside the trauma of giving birth as well as trying to be the best you can to protect your job is stressful and it isn’t unreasonable to expect the business plan for this, as well as lighten your load to go on leave as stress free as possible.