Overwhelmed at work

[Fornhmn]

Been back at work (after maternity leave with my first baby) for almost 5 months now. I've just been given more and more responsibility. How it goes; other team members feel their workload is going up, some of their work gets palmed off to me. I'm also filling in for a vacant position and still doing my actual day job. I feel like I'm drowning. Is it just me being out of work for so long or do I actually need to take steps to address this with my manager or just find a new job?

Sounds like you need to say no when you’re asked to take on new stuff, and talk to your manager about doing the job you’re paid for and nothing else (not the vacancy’s work too).

Only makes sense to look for a new job if you’ve talked to your manager and nothing changes. You’ve got to ask for what you need in any job.

Speak to your boss and say that as you are doing your own job, have taken on work from other team members and are also covering for the vacant position, which role would they like you to prioritise, because you now appear to have three jobs crammed into the hours for one.

Thanks both. Yes it does seem like I need to get out of my head and speak to my manager.
I've become such a terrible people pleaser since being back at work from mat leave - almost like I feel guilty. It's like I want to prove that I can do EVERYTHING...and am even better after I've had a baby. Even though I feel like a failure a lot of times. Total imposter syndrome.