I am currently 17 weeks pregnant. Yesterday my boss had a meeting while I was out of the office. In this meeting, she announced to the part-time person that was hired to be my backup/assistant that when I go out on maternity leave, she gets my job and she will hire someone to be her assistant.
My assistant laughed and said "Well Grim will only be out two months." to which my boss replied that they couldn't say if I would be back or not. Even though I have stated on several occasions that I would be back.
Now I told my boss early on that I was pregnant. She tried on several occasions to force me into telling coworkers that I was pregnant even though I had clearly stated that I had no intention on telling anyone before I was three months pregnant. In one instance she even began talking about my pregnancy with other coworkers nearby.
I work for a local county government. We do not have the option of just adding another position. We are currently in a hiring freeze. This means to hire someone, the person currently in that position has to leave (fired/quit/etc.) I have a perfect record within my job. I have never had a problem with my boss. I am usually credited by her with keeping her section together and going while she was out for cancer treatment for 8 months last year. I have even won employee of the year in our department.
I know it would be illegal for her to "fire" me when I am out on maternity leave so I'm not worried about it. I am thinking I should be extremely cautious with my work and feel as if I should not trust her.
Oh, and add to that my assistant, has been applying for other jobs so she can work full time. I've encouraged her to do so, even shown her jobs that I think she would be great at. She's a dynamo, great worker and she NEEDS to go full time so she could have full benefits. So there is no guarantee that she will even be around when I go out on maternity leave.
So, TIP, what do you think of this? Should I go to HRM over this now? Should I "leak" the info I have on my boss that would get her fired? Should I just wait it out and possibly own the county when I sue?
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Re: What do you think about this?
Take this with a grain of salt, but I would start documenting now. I work for county government as well, and I know there are very specific rules regarding employment. I'd keep documenting, and if it continues, I'd definitely deal with it BEFORE going on maternity leave. I'd also start a file of your work- anything that you can prove that you are an above average employee. Definitely don't trust her.
Is your boss elected? Are you in a union?
I'm not in a union. My boss isn't elected. Luckily my assistant is wonderful and she was thoroughly shocked that my boss said that. I'm documenting my fingers off.
I worked in a government job too when I was pregnant/had my baby. I would inform HR (if you haven't already) about your impending leave and that you will be coming back. Hopefully they'll take the ball and run with it and stop your boss in her tracks.
That's what my HR rep did at least, they confirmed the plans with my boss on how my job would be handled when I left, and the time frame/how I came back.
I also work for county government, although my boss is elected. It sounds like your boss is just really un PC and not self aware. To me it sounds like she knows you want to return but is one of those people who assumes you will like being a Mom so much you would never ever want to return to work. I'd just keep making it clear that you are returning and expect your job to be held per FMLA. If she says anything else I'd confront her....as in I heard you think I'm not coming back even though I've specifically told you multiple times I am. Why would you assume otherwise?
My boss has told me he'd be surprised if I come back if I ever have a kid because most Moms want to stay home. Some people don't get that not everyone fits in their own worldview.