Have they written me off already? Is it legal?

[RSmumtobe19]

Hi,

A little help needed with some feelings I've been having at work, I wondered if anyone felt the same and can offer any advice on what I should do.

I've been at my job now for 11 months and am head of the marketing department. The managers above me are all in a tight click and it's always been quite a toxic environment where you can't really trust them enough to make it down when something's bothering you. Anyway, since telling my work I was pregnant (which was a shock surprise for us with me having been told in the past I can't have kids) - I've noticed a difference in the way managers are acting towards me. Our CEO for example has never been the best communicator, I reported to him when I started and he never gave any indication that he liked me, but also none that he didnt so I've never really known where I stand. However I now report to another director and since finding out I'm pregnant, the CEO has stopped coming to me directly for anything marketing related and goes to my new line manager. If he does come to me directly it's either to challenge something I've done, say it's wrong, or simply say he doesnt like it. I've also noticably seen him in front of clients change the subject on anything marketing-related when I'm in the room, and other managers are going directly to my team for requests, rather than to myself which is the way it's always been.

They're reluctant to replace me when I've gone which initially I thought was a good thing, however I'm starting to feel that they don't see myself or marketing of any use (simply because the CEO has admitted in the past, he doesnt 'get' marketing). I'm already thinking as I'm being treated like this I won't come back here, but worried that returning to work in 12 months time to a new place of work would mean I'd have to go back full time as a new employer would be put off by a flexi working request from someone coming back from maternity.

Sorry for the waffle but I'm so full of worry at the moment and have 2 months left before my maternity starts. Am I being paranoid?

Honestly, it's hard to say what you are being. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that I've seen Marketing folk treated as you describe, and maternity was definitely not the reason - some of them were men, and the rest weren't pregnant! I think a lot of people "don't get" marketing - it's sort of a good idea in principle but they don't see the point and it costs money. My friend used to be in marketing and it was something she came across all the time - now she isn't, but she'd still tell you that a lot of people simply don't equate it with value. To be clear - I'm not saying that, just observing what I know / hear.

Personally, I'd stop worrying about it and enjoy yourself getting ready for the unexpected but welcome arrival. You have a long time to think about what you might want to do "later" - and since part-time work is actually more and more common, then "flexible" requests at a new employers that you don't yet have seems a bit of a premature worry. Yes, some employers are rubbish at that sort of thing. Others aren't. And it is all 12+ months away

You should stay with your current employer throughout your maternity. Discuss with HR about alternative work arrangements after you have your baby. You don’t yet know what you might want exactly. If they don’t agree to your request for part time, you know you need another job. However that might not be at your current level. It’s best to negotiate with your employer first. Don’t leave it 12 months either. Make sure you get sent info, get invited to training and stay in the loop as much as you can.