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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity cover - feeling pushed out

10 replies

SMG1992 · 05/10/2023 08:30

Hi All,

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and got someone in for a long handover for my mat cover. They started about a month ago and still have up until beginning of December with me until I'm on maternity leave.
They have caught on really well and I already feel a bit like a spare part.
I'm the head of department and part of our senior management team so I'm used to having a lot on and being involved in decision making, however now people are going to them instead.

I am grateful to be in a position where I have cover who I'm comfortable can do the role, however I'm just feeling a bit pushed out at the moment.
I'm guessing this might just be the hormones?!
Has anyone had this before and what did you do?

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thecatsthecats · 05/10/2023 09:29

I sort of have the opposite cause but the same basic problem. My mat leave cover hasn't been hired yet and I'm off from next week. There will be no handover, and a few of the projects I was working on have been bumped to November.

So I have nothing to do! I feel like a spare part, and when WFH, there's all sorts of baby-based distractions... it makes me feel like a bit of a fraud.

What I have done is to

A) crack on with some of those "never gets done" things at work. Except it turns out that two of my background tasks have been hugely valued already in the past few weeks.
B) taken some time to get into habits and routines around preparing for birth which are part of the leeway given at my work anyway - so taking 2-3 10m breaks a day for things like a quick walk, take a few minutes to practice breathing or do pelvic floor exercises etc. Or even just step away from my desk if I'm having a bit of a "moment".
C) given myself a break about it all - it's not my decision to underuse me, and I figure that in life an employer will generally realise more value from me than they give out. It's ok for the balance to go the other way for once!

SheilaFentiman · 05/10/2023 09:32

OP I would say that’s a really long handover. A month would have been enough, probably. I had a 3 month handover into my current full time role from the previous incumbent and it was ridiculous - however, she was part time so it probably worked out about a six week handover in terms of days, even that was too much and a bit confusing for clients.

SheilaFentiman · 05/10/2023 09:33

So it’s not hormonal - you kind of have done yourself out of a job early.

At this point, I think you can only embrace it and start to step back

Original poster

SMG1992 · 05/10/2023 10:27

Thanks for the replies, I think like @thecatsthecats said I feel like a bit of a fraud as am used to being so busy!
I'll try and embrace it as I don't want anything to do with work whilst I'm on mat leave - I better start getting used to it.

OP posts:

NnarcissaMalfoy · 05/10/2023 10:30

I had this exact situation and my mat leave cover person ended up being kept on permanently so I work with her now. I felt very threatened and pushed out at the time, but upon going back I saw that my job was still there for me and I was valued as much as before. Its a difficult psychological transition, leaving work for mat leave for the first time. Your feelings are normal so be kind to yourself.

Original poster

SMG1992 · 05/10/2023 10:48

Thank you @NnarcissaMalfoy I am finding the transition difficult as my career has been such a big part of who I am.

OP posts:

BubblyBubbler · 05/10/2023 10:57

No advice, but similar situation compounded with two back to back pregnancies (so one year off, 7 months back and another one year off). I’m starting a new job this month as I just couldn’t find my position in my company anymore. I was getting paid to do very little when I went back and all my projects are already handled by someone else, it is very demoralising

PositiveThoughts11 · 05/10/2023 11:37

I would hate that too!!!!!
The plan for my mat cover is 2 weeks which I don't think is enough but anywhooo.....

A long ago I was taken on in a mat cover that was painfully long and I was expected to fully take over the role but constantly under her watchful eye (and ott judgement) . I couldn't wait for her her to go .
I'd ask around maybe if there's other bits you can take on and leave them to start taking the reins in your role.

Original poster

SMG1992 · 05/10/2023 12:03

Haha I expect my cover feels like they are under my watchful eye and ott judgement too 😂

OP posts:

Toastandheinz · 05/10/2023 12:43

Totally get it OP. The person covering my Maternity leave started when I had a month left, which was definitely sensible training wise but I also felt like a spare part when my manager said to let her do all the processes from start to finish from the 2nd week on. I didn't really know what to do with myself lol. The working days felt long and drawn out

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