Being asked to work during mat leave

[kingfisher657]

I'm involved in a project which has some deadlines right around my due date (10 days in which to respond to reviewer comments). This will coincide exactly with when I expect to be giving birth and looking after a newborn.

The project lead asked if he could email me questions anyway during that time! Um, no, I won't be checking emails from my hospital bed...

He's from another institute so has no real power over me - I don't need any advice but would love to hear any similar stories so we can have a whinge together

Luckily for you, it’s completely illegal for you to work within 2 weeks of giving birth anyway (assuming you’re in the UK), so even if you wanted to respond, you’re not allowed!

What a bloody cheek that man has!

I'm no help because I did respond to queries (and actually did a bit of work) in the first few weeks after having DS! It wasn't a big deal to me but appreciate others may feel differently

If it were my company or it affected a bonus, sure, I'd answer emails.

Otherwise... hell to the no!

This

Yes I am in the UK. Planning on doing some KIT days but not until 2-3 months, let alone within 2 weeks!!

The kindest interpretation I can give him is that he doesn't know my due date so maybe he thought I was going off work far ahead of the birth?

I would have said that’s my due date but feel free to email in case I haven’t/ am not in the process of giving birth

When I had my daughter I took a very short 9 week maternity leave due to working a job I loved and very much wanted to go back to. My partner took the remaining time as SPL.

When I announced my daughter was born to my then colleagues, I was given all of 5 hours before work questions started pouring in, I hadn't even left my hospital bed. It was that moment that I decided to leave ... so I started looking for a new job for when my partner returned to work.. I loved my job but I still wanted my maternity leave to be just that.. maternity leave. The requests for help didn't stop there. I felt immense pressure to help.

I'm now on maternity leave with my son andy new company have been amazing. They're so supportive, often check in on my wellbeing, but have not expected anything else of me. I am looking forward to returning but I'm enjoying my time with my family for now.

I loved my previous job and I was so gutted that I was made to feel like I did, but I couldn't imagine being anywhere else now 😁

I guess what I'm saying is they absolutely shouldn't expect anything from you at all. Plus you shouldn't work at all in the first 2 weeks. That's a legal requirement.

Best of luck x

A few years ago, my dad’s boss was emailing about work a few hours after giving birth. He was senior in the company so could have handled it or gone to her boss and fully expected to do either of those things. He was shocked at her emailing.

Don’t know if it makes a difference but it was a joint UK/Indian company, my dad in the UK and his boss in India.

My DD is 13 now but I still get irrationally angry thinking about DHs boss who decided to have leave over my due date meaning DH had to deal with actual life/death situations (not hyperbole) via email from the Labour room

Actually contacting the woman in labour is a whe other level!!

My DD is 13 now but I still get irrationally angry thinking about DHs boss who decided to have leave over my due date meaning DH had to deal with actual life/death situations (not hyperbole) via email from the Labour room

Actually contacting the woman in labour is a whe other level!!

I would email and say, I’m not sure you’re aware but my due date is x so I’m not going to be available. as you say, give him the benefit of the doubt.

I have never been expected to do anything on either Mat leave but I’m public sector and they tend to be clearer about things like this.

That said, I think there’s a difference between ignoring you for a year and keeping in good contact. The balance is hard to strike sometimes. I found my first pregnancy employer left me alone when I felt quite isolated and would have like more contact. The second time I have more contact and it’s not that I want to work but I am slightly terrified that decisions will be made in my absence and I’ll have to pick up the pieces upon my return.