Hey everyone!
I’m just cross posting this from the pregnancy forum! I hope someone can help?
I’d like to get some perspective on my current situation in work. I’m in my early 30s and 22 weeks pregnant with my first child.
I currently work for a very large tech firm within a fast-paced, senior creative role (desk job). So far, my employer has been incredibly accommodating and have been fantastic with my pregnancy. However, I am finding that they are starting to tread a line between being caring and positive discrimination.
For example, we’ve had a large short-term product launch this week and it feels like some of the team members have had a conversation about protecting my capacity - in turn I’ve seen my colleagues struggle with the workload while I’ve been sat there twiddling my thumbs. I’ve asked people if they need assistance or if I can pick anything up but they’ve said to just relax. I’ve had previous conversations with my team leads, line manager and project managers saying I’m comfortable with having the usual level of work in line with a product launch and I will speak up if the work is unmanageable.
What’s worse is that several colleague have been mentioning that they’ve noticed I’m being ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ and have asked if I’m okay with it.
With larger, longer term projects, I’ve been coaching a younger member of staff to pick up these projects while I’m on maternity leave - I know this is for her development and am happy to split up projects I would usually lead on myself and to be on hand if assistance is needed.
It seems like they’ve completely ignored what I’ve said previously and are making their own assumptions.
I’ve read what other women go through on this forum with unreasonable employers. This situation feels like a storm in a teacup but I can’t shake off this feeing that they’re overprotecting me when I’ve not asked for the assistance with my workload. Is this my pregnancy brain and hormones?! Should I just have an easy ride for a few months?
I’m planning on having a conversation with my line manager early next week to bring up concerns and to ask not to make assumptions - I’m pregnant and fully able to work at a desk job!
What would you do Mumsnetters?