About to go on mat leave and feels like I’m falling through cracks?

[Blossombuttercup]

Not sure what I’m looking for here really… perhaps reassurance that this is normal. Essentially I start mat leave next week. Timing has been off as my manager moved to another team and I’m now reporting to a ‘temporary’ manager until we restructure fully. It just feels I am being ignored because I am going on mat leave. I’ve had to chase my current manager to schedule 1 on 1 calls and to finalise my goals for the year before I head out. These goals are important where I work for compensation. I feel I have done my part - provided smooth handovers that will ensure business continuity and I can’t be bothered about anything else. I am thinking of contacting HR and informing them I’ve done my part and can’t keep chasing/worrying about my goals etc which need to be formally finalised before I head out. I just want to focus on baby now. I have no strength for anything else.

Who is the beneficiary of the work? I’d let them know the work is done and awaiting sign off. Not sure if HR would be that bothered?

Am not sure what you are actually saying
On the one hand you had enough and want to focus on baby and on the other you want one to ones on your goals
If possible make sure you have a definite role in the new structure before you finish up

I would give it one more try with your manager (in writing) before you contact HR.

It does sound very frustrating though, if I am reading this correctly then if this isn't done correctly you stand to lose out financially which is that last thing you need on mat leave.

@Motheranddaughter what I am saying is I need sign off for my goals which I have completed. These will determine my compensation next year so it is important for me to close off with my current manager. I have also had enough of chasing for this.

@OddBoots yes I stand out to lose financially so I am thinking of informing HR that this is now pending manager sign off and I have done all I needed to do. My manager has said he will finalise but should I just assume it will be this week? I just don’t want to be dealing with this when baby is here

Thinking about it, when my line manager hadn't signed off my performance review and it was days to go before the cut off for pay review I was able to speak to their manager who was very sensitive in getting it sorted for me.

Is there someone in that role you could have a quiet word with and explain how stressful this is for you?

Have you explicitly said to your manager that you want this sorted before going on maternity leave in x days? Maybe do that again, and cc in your HR contact just saying FYI goals are completed from my side and just need manager sign off

@OddBoots oh why didn’t they review it on time??

@mixedcereal this is our company procedure so manager is aware of what needs to be done. This is HR who requires us to complete our goals. Things just keep dragging. Yes, I will email both if I’ve still not heard anything by end of the week.

@Blossombuttercup I am not sure, she kept saying she would do it and then just kept not getting around to it - as far as I know it wasn't anything personal, just likely to be a workload thing.

@OddBoots got it. Same issue here I suspect… everyone is definitely really busy

The reason I’m asking is because it’s also our company procedure, and linked to pay. Managers usually have a day job as much the people management side of it. I’d have to chase my boss numerous times for something like this because it’s not the focus of his role. I’m also saying this as someone who went on mat leave myself a week ago!

Before I went onto my first mat leave, I felt exactly the same (different context and reasons but same feeling of being overlooked and sidelined). After a few weeks of baby being here, I couldn't have cared less!

when your LO is here it will rock your world and change your priorities completely, in a fabulous way. So try not to let it stress you out, go with the flow, try to enjoy your last week of work for a while.

best wishes for the birth and beyond xxx