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Original poster

Should job title always have 'maternity cover' in it?

30 replies

Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 20:21

Does anyone know the best practice or have any of their own views on whether my job cover should or should not retain the words 'Maternity cover' in her title while I'm on leave?

They are about to go to print with hundreds of thousands of print where she does not state that she is maternity cover. Perhaps I'm being pernickety and feeling a bit out of the loop generally, but it doesn't help that much of the programme her name is against was developed by me before I went on leave. I'm also concerned that our sponsor relationships will be confused about my tenure.

Any advice much appreciated.

OP posts:
Restorer · 07/05/2013 20:30

I would think it very odd if customer communication included "maternity cover" in her job title. I have never ever seen it.

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 07/05/2013 20:32

I thought you meant in a job ad when I clicked the tread.

It's very very unusual (as in I've never seen it) for someone to be Product Development Manager Maternity Cover or Sales Manager Maternity Cover

Is there a reason why you're feeling so unsettled?

flowery · 07/05/2013 20:32

No, that would be most unusual. That's not part of the job title. I'm not sure what it is they will be printing with her name and job title on it, but there's unlikely to be any reason why people reading the thing will need to know that she may only be there for a short time. If someone is doing a job on a temp contract that wouldn't be stated.

Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 20:45

This situation might also be different to other sectors, as it's quite a public-facing creative programme. But perhaps I should care less about crediting!

OP posts:
EcoRI · 07/05/2013 20:46

It depends on company policy, I suppose. One of the last places I worked in always used 'locum' on maternity cover job titles.

MrsMillions · 07/05/2013 20:53

If you look in the front of many magazines (especially women's mags), where they list all the editors, features assistants, designers etc, you often see a number of them credited as "Acting" whatever it is. I've always assumed this is people doing maternity cover. Maybe this could be suitable terminology in your case too.

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 07/05/2013 20:55

Acting or locum would be more usual.

Do you think you're going to be sidelined?

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 20:56

Good point Mrs Millions. I do actually think it is better comms for when I return to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 21:01

Not sidelined, but that clients, networks would understand me to have been replaced/finished with the company and to have had no input into the direction of this year's programme.

OP posts:
FreddieMisaGREATshag · 07/05/2013 21:03

Can't you send round a wee email before you go to the people that it's important to you that know that isn't the case.

That doesn't make sense. Do you know what I'm trying to say?

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 21:21

I do know what you mean Freddie. i could sort any confusion with clients with an email, but then there are 100s 1000s of print going out that define my maternity cover as in effect my position, distributed across networks that are important to my future career prospects.

Perhaps Mrs Millions' magazines example includes 'Acting' for a similar reason that readership can have a big impact on career direction.

Is this my ego getting the better here, or is this kind of reasonable? I'm really not sure.

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 07/05/2013 21:25

I'm a mat cover and it really pisses me off that it states that in my email signature. You sound v insecure. You need to accept you're going off, five months into you're leave you won't give a flying fuck either way!

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 21:33

I am seven months into my leave.

My cover doesn't have it in her email signature. Do you have to include it in your signature WipsGlitter? Putting shoe on the other foot, is it also insecure that that pisses you off?

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 07/05/2013 21:35

Yes. It's an auto signature. I don't think I'm insecure but I just fine see why people need to know

Sunnywithshowers · 07/05/2013 21:51

I've worked in contract roles (non maternity) before and had 'Interim' added to my job title. Suppliers and contacts would often ask me about it.

Bramshott · 07/05/2013 22:08

I think it's nice when it does, but not essential. I'm guessing you work in the arts or a similar area and I agree, if I'd developed a programme and then wasn't included in the brochure I'd feel a bit 'miffed'. But equally, to list someone as X Director (maternity cover) looks a bit odd. I think in a staff list it's fair enough though, and I've certainly seen that in (for eg.) concert programmes (even nicer if it's "maternity cover for shortninbread")

unebagpipe · 07/05/2013 22:33

I don't think yabu. I get why you're pissed off. your worried about your clients thinking you've left, and annoyed about others getting all your glory. Just because you've gone and had a baby, others shouldn't be able to use what you've done to their own credit. Suggest that interim/acting etc. be inserted- and explain to them why (if you can)... Seems reasonable enough to me.

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 22:42

Thanks unebagpipe Smile Bramshott, think I might adopt Shortninbread as a professional title Grin

OP posts:
musu · 07/05/2013 22:51

Why don't your clients know that you are on maternity leave? I would be more concerned with that (assuming for some readon you haven't been allowed to tell them) than job title for your cover.

musu · 07/05/2013 22:52

reason not readon

Billwoody · 07/05/2013 22:57

Agree with sunny - I am currently doing a job on an Interim title. It is mat cover

Original poster
Shortninbread · 07/05/2013 23:08

I've told them, but a year is a long time and as I say my cover makes no ref to her being maternity cover in her correspondence so people start to assume I've hung up my hat. At least that's what happened last mat leave I had.

I'm going to put this back on my boss and ask what our policy is, perhaps mentioning confusion returning to work last time.

OP posts:
Restorer · 07/05/2013 23:36

TBF, if you were doing a job on a year's contract would you want everyone treating you as temporary? In my line of work, you couldn't do the job properly unless the clients had the expectation that you were going to be around for a while.

WipsGlitter · 08/05/2013 07:20

How much longer are you on mat leave for? I think in the long run it won't really matter - you'll come back into post and a quick 'you're back?!' 'Yes I was on mat leave'. Will allay any questions immediately. How much confusion was there the last time? Surely your were able to manage it. I speak as someone who had a mat leave and who has been a cover twice now.

From the other side (ie being a mat cover) you are doing your best, trying to build your experience, make friends in a new job and its very disconcerting to have the person you are covering for breathing down your neck!