Treatment while on maternity leave?

[Mouthwash]

I am so nervous about going back to work, I currently have insomnia and my gp is diagnosing me with PND.

My office has been rubbish since I have been on maternity leave:(and before I left)-

• I had to put a request in to recruit for my own replacement and interview causing stress.
• The maternity guide explains how I will be treated 'like I am still in the office', yet not one person has invited me to any training events, or even the Christmas office party ( just saw pics on Facebook!) which really upset me as I continually ask.
• Again I keep asking, but I have been send no details on changes in my dept and only know what is going on as a friend there has been keeping me posted.
• there is no direct HR support?! No phone number for me to use, the only way I can ask things is to mail my managed for her to mail HR to mail her back to mail me?! Which for simple things can take weeks!!
• they won't sort out my access to the Internet site that holds my details on benefits (and includes registration for schemes such as childcare vouchers)?! I just need my password and apparently they have to put a complicated IT request in to reinstate my worn account for me to go in and login to get my details?! Just ridiculous! No one I can call either!

There has been loads of things that they should of done, I am not due back until July but already getting so worked up about everything :0( it's too much to really articulate but I needed to get off my chest and see if anyone else has been through similar treatment?

Thanks for your time
X

I went back to work in October after nearly a year off. I was dreading it as I experienced similar treatment whilst I was off (lack of contact, removal of all my remote access, no invitations to events/training etc).

It was no where near as bad as I expected though. I requested to work some KIT days before my return, which helped to get my over my nerves.

I think you always assume the worse when you don't know what is going on but I am sure it is not deliberate. It is easy to get bogged down in the day to day stuff and almost forget about people on maternity and your PND won't help.

Could you try asking your friend to fight your corner and get your access sorted? Maybe send your manager an email explaining that you feel isoloated and anxious about work and what contact you would like from her/him for the rest of your maternity leave.

Honestly, it is not as bad as it seems at the time.

Hope this helps.

x post with tsc - totally agree about making the most of your time. It will be July before you know it and you will soon be regretting the time you spent stressing about work instead of enjoying your baby.

Having a baby has really put things into perspective for me and I am much less bothered by work stuff now.

Im on my 4th lot of Mat leave with the same compnay and Its been the same each time - Shit.
But after 1 day back it was like I never left.

You'll be finr but KIT days are great fr getting yourself back on the system etc before you have to do proper work again.

Thanks everyone, I agree I need to try to enjoy the time I have left with my daughter as I won't get it back, and I think I will also write to my big boss about feeling isolated etc.

I certainly won't be putting myself out like I used to when I return (extra hrs etc).

X

Hi - I agree keeping in touch days - perhaps only 2 or 3 before you go back -can make a massive difference -did to me
and I would write a postive letter/email saying what you need from now - I wouldn't bother about complaining about the past - you do really go into the ether when on MT - very annoying

TBH it is a fine wire for bosses to tread - some people who get lots of stuff feel they are being indirectly pressurised to come back, and also most bosses don't really know 'what' to say (they don't realise they just giving monthly 'round robin' type updates is enough; so the default position is that few bosses actively stay in touch (which is very very wrong). Once you are back you will kick yourself for worrying about all of this. try not to get bothered by it - they mean no harm.

Hi mouthwash,

Completely agree - I'm still on ML and my employers have been shite (not using KIT days, no invitations to team, replacement for my role for a guy with a permanent contract NOT a 1 year mat leave contract, etc..., They also constantly congratulate themselves on what good and flexible employers they are AND my boss is a woman! Grrrr! I have been tempted to complain to HR, but I think the advice of stillSquiffy is good - it's probably not worth it and I do have to go back and work for the same boss. However, it does make me worry about what job they will offer me as I will take the full 52 weeks Mat leave. Does anyone know what the rules are when it comes to this? Do they have to offer me my old job back or can they change what they offer me? Especially as I intend to go back to P/T work...
Thanks for the advice!