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Promotion on maternity but planning another

10 replies

Tia2024 · 08/03/2024 13:49

I am currently on maternity with my third baby after a 10 year gap! We are planning to have another close in age like my elder two so was planning to start trying around June. The senior role to me has just become available and I'm being encouraged to go for it, they said they'd hold it until I return (taking the full year then holiday so returning Jan 2025). I am so stuck on whether to take it. This baby took me 2 years to conceive but I know you're very fertile after having a baby. I don't really want to delay the last baby - we already feel old compared to before! Lol..but I also want the job. Is It a bit selfish? Most of me is saying not to take the promotion but I just wanted to see if anyone else has been in this situation? Or has advice :)

OP posts:
nomchonge1 · 08/03/2024 14:26

take it, if thats what you want. cross work bridges when you get to them.

Rosesanddaisies1 · 08/03/2024 14:32

Take if it you want it. You have no idea if you will get pregnant again, or when. You're not necessarily fertile after having a baby, I really wouldn't rely on that. I know so many people who've had secondary infertility.

Bournetilly · 08/03/2024 14:34

If you want the job take it! You don’t know how long it’ll take to get pregnant, it could take another 2 years then you will regret not taking the job. Obviously there is a chance you could get pregnant very quickly and be returning to work quite a few months pregnant. But there’s nothing to lose taking the job.

Calculuses · 08/03/2024 14:40

I turned down a promotion because I knew I was in very early pregnancy (25 years ago). At the time I thought it was the right thing to do and I think it was appreciated by the management and probably helped when I wanted to return PT. I wouldn't do it again though.

Spinet · 08/03/2024 14:42

People do stuff like this ALL THE TIME and you should do it if you want to.

ExPostFacto · 08/03/2024 14:48

OP, you should take it, there are no guarantees you'll even get pregnant that quickly.
But you can't guarantee that the role, or even stakeholder faith in your abilities will be the same if you return 5+ months pregnant, only to head off for another year.
Of course it depends on your employers, where I work is very supportive with women being promoted on maternity but senior roles are political by their very nature. If you don't start 'making your mark' really quickly you're at risk of being kicked out of the game completely. Unless you've worked there a long time and have built strong relationships already.

Makes no difference for more junior or even middle management roles.

Tia2024 · 08/03/2024 15:01

ExPostFacto · 08/03/2024 14:48

OP, you should take it, there are no guarantees you'll even get pregnant that quickly.
But you can't guarantee that the role, or even stakeholder faith in your abilities will be the same if you return 5+ months pregnant, only to head off for another year.
Of course it depends on your employers, where I work is very supportive with women being promoted on maternity but senior roles are political by their very nature. If you don't start 'making your mark' really quickly you're at risk of being kicked out of the game completely. Unless you've worked there a long time and have built strong relationships already.

Makes no difference for more junior or even middle management roles.

Edited

Thank you for this. This was my thinking and I think what is giving me second thoughts! I have already started making my mark within my area of work, which is why I am being pushed for it. But I do worry about my ability on each return too, it's a fast changing environment and it will have changed a lot each time I return. I think I'm probably answering my own question here!

OP posts:
Olika · 08/03/2024 16:09

Take it.

ExPostFacto · 08/03/2024 22:15

Tia2024 · 08/03/2024 15:01

Thank you for this. This was my thinking and I think what is giving me second thoughts! I have already started making my mark within my area of work, which is why I am being pushed for it. But I do worry about my ability on each return too, it's a fast changing environment and it will have changed a lot each time I return. I think I'm probably answering my own question here!

Women tend to undersell themselves so I wouldn't worry too much about your ability. You've proven yourself already. But it's a question of 4 things IME;

  1. Your own priorities
  2. leadership team backing/relationships
  3. The economic climate
  4. Opportunities for other senior roles.

1 and 2) are related to performance. If you've already been working at a higher level and built up strong stakeholder relationships its much easier to get going from day 1. But also, you'll need to be working much harder. I don't mean a strict 9-5 but the women I knew picked the kids up from nursery, did dinner, put them to bed then logged on to do more work. Even with a supportive husband. Again, maybe this isn't needed in your industry, I don't know.

3 and 4) are related to the difficulty of getting and keeping a senior position. If they don't open up frequently and need a lot of management support etc then you'd be foolish to not grab it, when it so fortuitously presents itself. On the other hand, senior roles are more prone to being measured on results, re-orgs, at higher risk of being cut during bad times.

You're only 33 and being recommended for a senior role already, on mat leave with 3 kids so you're clearly a high performer with a supportive employer. The question here is really what do you prioritise. If you want the role and are willing to put in the work, I'd say take it in a heartbeat.

If you find yourself holding back - not because of any doubts regarding your ability, adapting to change or being 'fair to employers' - but because you want to take your foot off the gas for a bit and security - that's fine too. but just make sure you pass it up for the right reasons.

I agree with people saying it might take you a while to conceive but also you currently have a baby.. so hardly unoccupied on that front.

snackprovidersupreme · 08/03/2024 22:26

Don't hesitate, just take it. And congratulations! On international women's day, it's great to hear your success.

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