Work stress

[LittleKitty1985]

My bosses at work are putting pressure on me to agree to complete a project 2 months early so that it's done before I go on maternity leave, rather than just passing it onto someone else to finish. It's flattering that they think I'm the only person capable, but I'm concerned about the stress it'll put on me during my third trimester.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice?

If you don’t think you can manage the workload, then speak to your manager. Do you have a health and safely risk assessment in place?

How do they suggest you complete it in a shorter time, are they taking any extra work off of you? If it's not do-able just tell them no it's not possible and it's putting undue stress on me

I probably can cope, but it'd mean a lot of stress and working evenings and weekends, which is unfortunately just seen as part of the job in my career (teaching) and I'd rather not do that any more than necessary.

I did have a risk assessment meeting with HR, but she just asked me a list of qs and ticked some boxes and that was it, she didn't mention any strategies to reduce the risks identified. Is that normal?

My work have been quite good at saying I need to speak up as my health is the most important thing. Both hr and my boss have said that but of course I still feel some pressure as I have a lot of work and I am reluctant to give work back (it’s a bit easier to say no to new work) as I know everyone else is super busy and I worry I am already slightly behind...

I would normally work evenings and weekends but haven’t been since pregnant and will seek to avoid it as much as possible. You need to rest.

I am a lawyer by the way if that puts in context.

I'm a teacher and have just started mat leave... you're right about it being part of the job (not that that makes it right!). I carried on with the workload but cut weekend work down to solely one day and also tried to stay later at work, like 6ish, to avoid taking work home to do in the evening... are these options for you? From your mention of your project, am I right in thinking you're middle management or SLT? Is there any way you can drop other duties (assemblies, lunch duty etc) to free up some extra time to work on this project?

I already usually stay in school until 6-8pm to avoid taking work home but yeah I may be able to give up other duties. I'll just need to be firmer with my line manager in our next meeting about prioritising the health of myself and my baby. I have a good reputation for working hard and never take days off sick, so hopefully that will help. & his wife recently had a baby so that should help too.

Staying until 6-8pm every night and working weekends sounds like you need a chat about your workload in general, pregnant or not! I mean, if your school day ends at 3, an 8pm finish means an extra 5 hours..!! Best of luck with it - and yes, be very firm!

I'll firm (well I'll try but I may cry haha)

Just to clarify: School day finishes at 4, & by staying late midweek I can mostly avoid bringing work home at the weekend. It's a pretty standard teacher workload I think, I just don't want this additional workload on top of it, which is about 80 extra hours work over the 2 months.

I guess it may make them more likely to fight to keep you and get hours that suit you on your return?

Oh that's not too bad actually if you don't bring weekend work home; I find it impossible avoid that! But yes- they shouldn't be landing the extra on you.