I started a new job in a new sector several months ago. There were things which were difficult about the adjustment but overall really glad to have moved. One factor that made it all easier was my line manager was an absolute gem, someone who genuinely cared about workload and wellbeing (as well as being fantastic at her job), and was very proactive in supporting me. In her words her aim was to set me up for success - and I think she did that.
Unfortunately she left about a month ago, and my new boss is one level above her, essentially the head of our department. She’s a Mat leave cover (from another department) and seems really out of her depth and chaotic. Any work I do with her or question I ask her, it becomes clear that she’s only given it the briefest of thoughts and has a very superficial understanding of the matter at hand. When it comes to workload, she pays lip service (“sorry you’re exhausted, you shouldn’t be regularly working such long hours”) but won’t actually do anything like take work off desk. She never has time for a conversation about my development or progression, or to support me in those goals.
I don’t feel like I can be too confrontational/complainy about it because I’m still new and want to make a good impression. I’m also six weeks pregnant (adding to exhaustion), but really don’t want to tell her yet (I accept I will have to soon) because I think that would give her even more of a reason not to invest in my development. How have others coped with feeling so uninspired and unsupported by your boss? I keep telling myself it’s temporary: the permanent head of department will come back from Mat leave in about six months. But that feels like an absolute age when I hate this situation so much.