To be asked to set work goals mid-third trimester?

[Flounder19]

I am currently in my third trimester and have recently had my 2022 annual review. Now I am asked to work on goals for 2023 even though I only have two months to go till mat leave. Wondering if this is normal?

I am already feeling overwhelmed with training my replacements on top of my day-to-day work and setting goals to achieve over just 8 weeks is adding more stress.

TIA!

I would thing your goal is to ensure a smoothe handover

Yep, I don't think you can refuse to set them exactly, but make them all highly practical to your current situation. Smooth handover as per PP js the right focus. You could probably break them down into a few different ones to cover specifics eg train replacement, keep notes up to date, anticipate likely matters arising and plan accordingly etc. plus I'd stick in at least one well-being one, perfectly appropriate in any set of goals IMO, but particularly for you.

Yes, that is one of them which I added but we usually have 4-6 goals to set.

So break it down into different goals:

1. to prepare written handover notes or guides
2. to hold meetings with your mat cover to ensure they understand their role and responsibilities
3. to anticipate events and requirements during your planned absence and ensure your cover knows how to handle them
4. to inform colleagues and members of other teams as needed of your planned departure date and cover arrangements

etc etc. i mean obviously your real goal is just “do a handover” but you have to spin it out into separate things so that then in future you can say you did them all.

Thank you, I will suggest this approach. I do think I will be asked for broader goals though, with actual figures to measure against performance and tight deadlines. 😢

This is very normal for large corporates, I basically set the goals similar to last year + handing over / training two staff members.

Op are they goals for you or for your role? Because if it’s to cover a year, obviously you won’t get far in 8 weeks, but your cover will be expected to do the rest?

Yes they should be treating you the same in terms of reviews etc so you will still be eligible for bonus/progression etc.

If they said ah don't bother setting any targets they'd be treating you differently for no reason.

They are goals for myself/my own performance review next year

I understand this, it would be discriminatory but I do expect a degree of realistic expectations. At the moment I still have the exact amount of goals as the others and I find this a bit overwhelming

I don’t see the problem? You are going on May leave so won’t be around for many of the next 12 months. Your goals should be set accordingly. Preparing for your mat leave, preparing to return when may leave is over, and working towards whatever it is once you’re back.

You can’t not have any goals, and treating you differently because you’re pregnant or feeling overwhelmed isn’t in your favour. You just have to do things a bit differently now (and then some once the baby arrives!).

Yes, sure, completely agree but so far I've not been advised on how my goals can be adjusted which is making me stressed

We got asked to set goals whilst in the midst of being made redundant. Corporates gonna corporate.

But isn’t it your job to let them know what you are able to do?

Eg your target might be achieved 100% chargeable hours for the period until a week before your departure then spend the final well handing over.

…but if you don’t feel able to fulfil that target due to pregnancy-related illness then it is for you to say that eg 80% is realistic instead.

You can’t expect your employer to second guess your capacity and it would be potentially discriminatory for them to assume that you are less able to work than normal. Many people don’t make any adjustments.

Are they asking you to adjust them?

Isn’t that your job as the employee?! They’re YOUR goals. That’s the whole point of this exercise. Are you saying you want your employer to tell you how to adjust your personal goals given you’re going on maternity leave? Surely not!

It’s fine to feel stressed. You have to cope with that, that’s all.