Returned to work after mat leave 6 months ago. I used to love my job. I am a secondary school teacher.
My Head of Department however is making life intolerable since returning. She changed towards me when I was pregnant and I have since discovered that she is unable to have children.
My confidence in my work is already low following mat leave and she is nitpicking at everything I do. She has never said or done anything personally, but I am pretty sure her issues are personal ones which arevmanifesting in professional criticisms.
I am currently going through a separation from my husband (she does not know this) and I have visited my doctor due to extreme stress and she wants to sign me off work as she believes the way my manager is treating me is a huge contributing factor to how I'm feeling.
On paper, it looks like she is doing her job. But in reality, verbally, she is being highly critical, taking away a lot of my power by saying...
"Did you ask me about that .."
"Have you checked that with me...?"
I feel stifled and completely under-valued.
I am considering approaching the Headteacher, but I've no doubt it will look petty. Also, for me to say I think all this is actually stemming from the fact that I've had a baby will be considered quite far-fetched.
What to do?