Anyone else been intimidated by their maternity cover??

[TCOB]

I know it sounds stupid (and the fact it's my first post may make me even less coherent!) but my mat cover has made my life so miserable that I'm going back to work just to be free of her. I'm terrified she has undermined me to my staff and there have been many examples (perhaps coincidental?) of things she has done which have had the net result of negating my own work. She's also put in plans which extend far beyond the length of her contract, to the extent that some colleagues have simply assumed I am not coming back. I'm so cross with myself for caving in and going back early but I can't cope with the stress any more. I love my job and could not bear to lose the trust and confidence of my team whilst on mat leave. Has anyone else ever been in this situation and can you share some advice/ coping techniques/ confirmation that this does sometimes happen and I'm not the only one?? So sorry if this is rambling, will get better I promise...thank you, TCOB x

What evidence do you have that she has actually undermined you and your performance? If you have clear evidence, then I would speak to your line manager.

When you say you plan to return to work early, how early do you mean? Because if you take additional ML, over and above 6 months, then your employer doesn't have to offer back your previous post - they can offer you something equivalent on the same salary. So, if there is a chance this woman is trying to get her feet under your desk, then I would return after 6 months anyway, rather than run the risk of some sort of 're structuring' happening and suddenly you're in a slightly different job and the woman is still there! If you return after 6 months, you totally have the right to your own post back

Why do you think you've lost the trust and confidence of your team? I'm confused as to how you know so much about what your maternity cover is doing while you are off tbh - you should be just enjoying your maternity leave, not thinking about work, or knowing the ins and outs of what's going on.

How your maternity leave is covered and what exactly the person covering does is up to your employer, and it's surprising you even know what she's doing to the extent that she is making your life miserable. Is she contacting you regularly or something?

I never had this problem because both my maternity cover on both occasions was so bad that they were begging me to come back early. But I also only knew this because my friends at work would mention things in passing, and I certainly never had either of them making me unhappy or contacting me - I wouldn't have stood for it.

And how is she making your life miserable? If you are on maternity leave she shouldn't be contacting you unless there is a major emergency, and even that should be sanctioned by her line manager. Really, you should know nothing about what she's up to, so if she's overstepping the mark you need to complain.

How long have you been off? When are you due to go back?

Thanks for the responses - they've got me thinking. I'm a bit nervous of putting too much info as I've got quite an unusual job which might be easy to spot...but basically: I live and work in the same building so our paths cross pretty regularly. I was planning to be off for nine months but will now go back after 6. I think I've made a whole bundle of mistakes (including being too easy to contact) which have led to the current nightmare!