so now that i'm into my fourth week of maternity leave, my boss finally tells me what he is going to do for me (financially) while i'm out on leave. he is doing NOTHING. not a penny, not paying me for my vacation or anything.
we've saved and planned and didn't factor in my getting anything from work while i'm out, but i always assumed he'd do something, and at the very least, pay me for my vacation. he said since i gave birth early in the year, i didn't technically accrue all my vacation yet. plus, being an attorney, he said that we don't really have vacation since i'm supposed to make up all my vacation time before the end of the year.
i shouldn't be surprised, but i am. he fired an attorney who he felt wasn't working hard enough and he gave her 4 weeks of severance (she had been with us a little over a year). when my secretary had her baby, he paid her 3 weeks of her vacation, her 1 week of sick pay PLUS $1,000 bonus.
i've been with him for 3 years, worked MANY late nights, weekends and holidays, worked most of my vacations some way or another and i'm getting nothing. though he said he would pay me hourly if i want to start working on my leave. thanks, buddy
Re: bummer (re: work)
Wow
yes, i brought up all those points, and the fact that he has never heard the word "no" from me for anything he has ever asked me for the last 3 years. he says he understands, but we had a "bad" month in january and he just can't do anything for me.
he told me already (actually the night my water broke when i was still working at 8:30pm) that he didn't think i had many "choices" because TJ was losing his job and all. such a jerk. he later apologized for being such a jerk, but he has shown his true colors.
i'm totally looking for another job. i just want a part-time job anyway, so i'm hoping to find something while i'm on leave. i might delete this comment soon, just in case there are any lurkers out there.
WOW that is really crappy!!!!! I am so sorry!
Have you ever thought about looking for a new law firm?
this.
and a WTF. Jerk.
wow, i'm sorry jen. i'd be pretty disappointed with that too.
you work for a small firm, right? from that perspective, i can see why they might make the (crappy) decision they did - however, to not tell you of that decision until four weeks into your maternity leave? that's pretty much unacceptable.
good for you guys for being prepared though. i can only imagine how much more devastating that news would be if you were counting on that money to buy groceries, pay your mortgage, etc.
still, what a crappy call by your boss. nothing like making an employee feel appreciated right? even if you hadn't accrued much vacation time, he could've at least paid you for the little you did.
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This. What an freaking jerk.
He probably feels you are "better off" than the other employees and feels you can suck it up. Whatever. Not your fault you have your *** together.
He will feel the error of his ways when you leave and he finds himself in doggy-do because no one else will go the extra mile like you did. He is crapping on his most loyal employee.. Argh, I am so pissed for you!
that sucks. really sucks.
Here is my take on him - I think he's a raging sexist. He probably sees you taking the "mommy track" now (and it's not a bad thing if you are - I'm totally on the mommy track with my job, but mine's not as demanding as yours and my employer definitely accommodates it without my career progression suffering). Babies grow up so fast that it's really not a bad thing if you want to slow down your career so you can spend as much time with your family as possible. He's an @ss. You are a kickass attorney and they are going to lose if you find another job that will be more family-friendly and appreciative of your talents.
I'm with Meg- I call sexism too. I would totally be searching for something else- and as Jill pointed out, sometimes bigger companies = more standardized rules. Not that they are always better, but at least you would know in advance!
Grr gets me all fired up. I hope you can find something better Jen!
Oh what a douche....this is totally unfair and uncalled by - his comments, his response to your maternity leave, and the very fact that you were working up until the day you broke your water....it's very frustrating. Small companies tend to throw employee policies and work ethic out the door, it doesn't seem fair but I see it happening more and more.
Take the time you need to focus on Josie, and looking for a PT job will be of sound mind for you, too. What's your company's maternity leave policy? Is it listed anywhere? Can you document this and maybe take him to legal claims? I'd take his douchebag @ss to court. Even if you were getting maternity pay, you're still legally bound to your vacation pay. I hate the way vacation accrues till after the year, it doesn't seem right when some people take more vacation they need.
:::HUGS::: to you! You'll get thru this Jen, and you'll be FAR better off than that place. You're an awesome hard-working employee, there is someone who will take advantage of your greatness. ;-)
what a jerk! after 3 years of faithful service, you didn't even get a bonus or some time off with pay??? that's ridiculous!
::kicks your boss in the shins::