maternity leave is too long ?

[lorcana]

• I manage a team of around 30 people - currently 4 are either on mat leave or about to go. All plan to have year off- this is too long imo. I had 5 children and took between 4 weeks and 3 months for each - staff come back deskilled demotivated and completely out of tHe loop. The impact on career and team is enormous - why do people take such long mat leaves ?

I think it's up to them actually. If they want to spend all their time with their children, that's fine, and if women want to go back to work, whether full-time or part-time, that's also fine. Live and let live.

With the colleagues on mat leave????? You've discussed how you think its unreasonable ti take the legally provided maternity leave. or do you discuss it with everyone else when they aren't there building your little empire against the breeders so when they do come back the feel alienated, demotivated and generally crap? You sound lovely.

I imagine op, that your colleagues are not making a big deal out of this because they are trying not to get involved in what is at best your dubious politicking against other women, or at worst your nasty overt discrimination and prejudice.

There is a reason why it is illegal to discriminate against women and those taking maternity leave and also now additional paternity leave. I bet your colleagues are hoping you'll shut up before someone makes a tribunal claim. I aldo reckon they are sick of you moaning and wish you were better at your job and able to effectively manage something that is a normal and expected part of being a manager.

If you cannot effectively manage absence and return to work then you are a very poor manager

Perhaps you should suggest your organisation joins MN's family friendly campaign? Or I would be happy to suggest other organisations who could help you to improve your poor interpersonal and management skills?

They might not react like this to your face, but your minions are hardly going to feel good about you if they know this is how you feel. I imagine they bitch about you behind your back quite a bit. I can't imagine approaching you to let you know that I was pregnant and intending to take my full entitlement knowing your feelings about maternity leave. No wonder they come back demotivated.

Also, you've had a maximum of 15 months off in total with your 5 children. I might just have the one child, maximum 2. Yes, I took the full leave with DD, I might or might not with a subsequent child. But really we would be looking at a difference of about 9 months between your maternity leave and mine in a career of 40 years. If you have 5 children and intend to work then I imagine it would be a challenge to take 12 months each time (both in career and financial terms). But many people have fewer children, so it probably is easier for them to take the full leave for those children. Are ryou sure you aren't jealous of women who have been able to take longer as the result of their choice to have smaller families?

I can't believe you took 4 weeks off. Lazy!
When I had DS I was back on the trawlers before they'd cut the umbilical cord.
I'm dedicated innit.

I think it is actually down to the employer to keep the employee up to date with any relevant changes in the office. I am due to have 7months off with my 2nd babe and am 7weeks into it. I work in a skilled position in HR and vetting and don't for one minute expect to go back de-skilled. I am in weekly contact with my employers and they regularly phone me to ask questions. I have been in a number of times to talk through any issues my replacement is having and will be starting my kit days very soon. You can't tar every woman with the same brush. Being a mother is a very valuable skill. I have found that many of my colleagues are far better placed to deal with difficult staff and circumstances on ther return to work no matter how long they have off. If you have a good member of staff before they go on maternity leave, why would they be any different on their return??

Whilst you may think you are a big fish in whatever pond you (and seemingly your colleagues) live at the bottom of, I can assure you that you are living in a world of ignorance and prejudice and would deservedly be eaten alive in any professional setting.

Unless of course your colleagues are also a bunch of journos who can't be arsed to do proper research

I love this thread... Four pages and so far not one person has agreed with the op? Yet she's still going? You surely have to give her a few marks for perseverance?

OP - When I told my boss I was pregnant she hugged me, she sent gift when LO was born. When i suggested a kit day she said I was welcome to one if I wanted but that she didn't expect me to attend if LO needed me, she asked me to go into work to discuss a possible promotion on my return, she's keeping my cover on for an extra few months when I return so that there's some flexibility in our team. In short, she's been amazing.

When I go back next month (next month, yikes!) I'll be committed, focused and fresh. If I'd worked for you & heard your views on maternity leave I'd be looking to take my expertise elsewhere.