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lilly
03-10-2007, 20:47
Hi there,
I returned from maternity leave in Feb this year. I asked if it was possible to go back to work part time and my boss said yes, but she wanted me to job-share with another girl who was also returning from maternity leave.

The job-share role was essentially half of my previous role and all of her role (which equals too much work). We were able to hire someone to help us but we still struggle with the workload.

The problem is is that since I have returned there has been constant *****ing from the department (mostly women) about the fact that we are job share (they think our role should be one full time position). My boss has since left and the CEO is taking one hell of a long time (over 2 months now) to replace her and what's making matters worse is that no one is empowered to make decisions and anyone who is a leader type, or has a healthy ego is pretty much trying to grab control.

Before I went on maternity leave, the thing I liked most about the company was the people. That was the only reason I really liked working there. I kept in touch with people while I was away and they were really supportive. When I returned, there were some new people in the department who were wary of my return (as they had taken over some of my old duties) but I was fine to move aside and take on other duties.

I believe I have tried to be nice and work hard but I hear things about 'how we shouldn't have been given the role' and 'how we are just going to go and have other kids anyway'. I've also had some new people tell me about 'part time jobs' which they think I would be interested in which are way beneath my experience. I try not to take it personally and I am at a loss to understand why we are not supported. We are open plan at work (though I have an office) but I still can hear pretty much constant whispering (WHICH DRIVES ME INSANE!!)

The thing that hurts me the most is that people I considered to be my friends are no longer talking to me (other than pleasantries). I would have thought that even if they don't like the way our jobshare is working, it wouldn't become a personal issue?

I find that I am waking up at around 4am the mornings before I go to work, in tears because I am dwelling on work and miss the fun working environment I used to be in and the people who I thought were my friends. I am desparately trying to remain positive, but I end up in tears on the way home as well. I feel like I am walking around looking somewhat depressed and/or paranoid which is probably making things worse.:gloomy:

I really don't want to be a sook who just packs it in and gives in to them and ends up getting another job (God knows that good paying part-time jobs are hard to find). But at the same time, feel like I am doing harm to myself.:banghead:

any advice?

Ange&Seth
03-10-2007, 20:52
:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: Is all I can give, I'm sorry. I was really looking forward to returning to work after maternity leave too, but on my 7th day back, I was given the option of resigning or being fired. Why? Because my replacement had twisted everything I'd done in those 7 days to make it seem like I was backstabbing and threatening. She even said 'don't F*&# with me Ange' but that wasn't taken into account.

Can you speak with the CEO about it at all? Or maybe even the women making the comments? Maybe you need to let them know that you hear what they're saying and you don't care?

:hugs: :hugs:

Chickadee
04-10-2007, 12:25
I am at a loss to understand why we are not supported. We are open plan at work (though I have an office) but I still can hear pretty much constant whispering (WHICH DRIVES ME INSANE!!)
Could it be jealousy? Maybe some of them had asked previously to work part time and been turned down.

I don't think I would be able to continue to work in an environment that you're describing. With whispers and anger around me.

If you do decide to go to the CEO (or human resources?) it would be good if you could team up with your job share co-worker.
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paulswife
04-10-2007, 23:07
Hi Lilly,

I'm so sorry that returning to work has been horrible for you! Who is your immediate supervisor now if your old boss has since left? Is it the CEO? Depending on the size of the company & your division, I agree with the last two mums - you should be making your discomfort known. If you are happy doing your job (in general), and the only thing that you truly hate is all the *****ing, then you need to speak to your supervisor, or HR.

You can't let this go on, but I agree with Chickadee, you should ask your co-worker in the job share agreement to go along with you & your complaint.

Good luck. If you need to have another whinge, don't hesitate to pm me.

;)

lillyflower04
04-10-2007, 23:18
I don't see why your work mates care whether your full time/job share?? Maybe it's the childless working woman 'vs' the working mother thing? I found when I had kids that both work friends and normal friends that didn't have kids, interacted with me different. Like they felt they had nothing in common with me anymore. I wonder if there's some jealousy there??

blackdog
05-10-2007, 08:13
I would start looking elsewhere, although I think workplaces full of women are always going to be *****y.

ps. Maybe you could start using words like "stress leave". I have noticed that in big companies and government departments/agencies managers are very afraid of "stress leave" , although I am not sure why, exactly. I know a couple of people whose previously unresponsive bosses have jumped to when "stress" is mentioned.

Noah_and_Elijah
05-10-2007, 08:16
any advice?

If it were me, I would do the job that I was paid to do and nothing more. If others in the department don't like it then too bad. You aren't the manager or the CEO therefore it's not your responsibility to address the issue.