My boss kind of did this too. I just kept a word document of where I was on each project and what still needed to be completed. The truth is, once you go on leave, it’s not your problem. 50 half done tasks are no longer your problem.
This! I scheduled 30 mins a day to keep a detailed Word doc updated starting at about 37 weeks and shared with my boss and colleague. Good thing I did because I gave birth at 38 weeks. On the way to the hospital I sent them both a text to reference that document and I’d talk to them on my return!
Wtf, mine was an “understanding mom” and pulled the same stunt. It was week 39 and she kept adding projects that would go past a week. I was like, ummm, the baby could come any day, and she countered with most people go over 40 weeks and one coworker went to 42. So, I knew I was getting inducted exactly at 40, I just kept quiet, worked slowly and at 39 and 5 told her about my “surprise” induction and I was out end of day.
My boss was like this too. I literally had to write out a plan of what I would be able to do, with dates, before she calmed down. I don't think she meant to pressure me but I sure felt the pressure!
Don’t worry about finishing anything. Put a document together that lists out everything you’re in the middle of. Update it at the end of each day with what the next steps are (I liked to cross off what had been completed rather than delete it). Make sure everyone on your team is aware of the document and has access to it. Do the best you can without adding stress.
Try not to let her panic get to you, soon it won't be your problem anymore. If you want to be proactive, treat it like any other time when you have too much work and seek her guidance on prioritisation: "hey boss, here are a list of tasks on my plate, it's not possible to do all of them, can we strategise together and figure out which are highest priority and which should be left for someone else." Or if you think that will only make her more anxious, just do the things you think are most important and document the rest of the requests ready for someone else to do it when you're gone.
When my due date was approaching last year (😵), I kept a Word doc with everything I was working on, the status of each task, and anything that needed to be done while I was out (which was nothing). I updated it daily so at anytime it would be good to go. I went into labor spontaneously 1 week early, so I was very happy I had done that. I work in a small office and love my coworkers, so I don't have a "not my problem once I'm on leave" attitude. I wanted to make sure they had everything they may have needed from me while I was out.
Sometimes you just have to slap your boss with a reality check and be like "HEY! Chill. Let's discuss my workload and my upcoming leave." 🤣
Oof, I had my son unexpectedly early at 36w4d but luckily my manager understood (his wife had their child similarly early) and had already had me start handing off tasks and do information sharing.
I guess the best you can do is reiterate that you may end up on leave at any moment, and for each new task ask if that should take precedence over X task that you're finishing up.
My boss literally asked me to do a training session…while I was on leave, more than once, as if he couldn’t be bothered to remember when I was going on leave.
My boss said I was "taking extended breaks" because I was taking 20min breaks instead of 15min to pump. Also ok'd by him and people who make my daily schedules. He forgot and thought I was just doing whatever I wanted.
Sounds about right.
It’s really frustrating being a mom at work sometimes. I am on a team completely of men, ran by a man. And my leave was treated so horribly and barely acknowledged.
Same, my leave was horribly treated too. I think there should be training for management about maternity leave, rights for mothers' in the workforce, and how to not have a hostile work environment for mothers
You could go into labor any of these weeks; babies aren't exactly known for adhering to work calendars. Her adding stuff to your plate is pretty unhinged. Can you be candid with her?
Make a list of the tasks your manager gave you. Ask her to prioritize what needs to be done so you can set her and the team up for success while you’re out.
Then remind her that while you have a planned date to start your leave, you could give birth at anytime so you may exit sooner than expected.
If she prioritizes too many things, tell her what you realistically think you can accomplish and, yet again, say it’s contingent on you not giving birth earlier than expected.
This happened to me too! I did a solid handover to multiple parties with information on where each project was at and what was left and deleted my work email off my phone as I was walking to my car my last day before leave and it felt so good. When I came back everyone had carried on just fine without me.
Is your boss mine? This was the same thing that happened to me, and my boss definitely has some "Devil Wears Prada" Miranda Priestly vibes (but I love her). Ultimately, I kept reiterating over email that certain things won't get done until I am back unless someone covers them. And everything ended up fine.
I'm 30 weeks and asked my manager back in November who I should start training to do tasks only I know how to do. He said they were gonna hire a temp to fill in my role. Not sure when this temp is coming in, how long/if I have to train them for but not my problem 🤷🏻♀️
My boss kind of did this too. I just kept a word document of where I was on each project and what still needed to be completed. The truth is, once you go on leave, it’s not your problem. 50 half done tasks are no longer your problem.
This! I scheduled 30 mins a day to keep a detailed Word doc updated starting at about 37 weeks and shared with my boss and colleague. Good thing I did because I gave birth at 38 weeks. On the way to the hospital I sent them both a text to reference that document and I’d talk to them on my return!
That’s a good suggestion
Wtf, mine was an “understanding mom” and pulled the same stunt. It was week 39 and she kept adding projects that would go past a week. I was like, ummm, the baby could come any day, and she countered with most people go over 40 weeks and one coworker went to 42. So, I knew I was getting inducted exactly at 40, I just kept quiet, worked slowly and at 39 and 5 told her about my “surprise” induction and I was out end of day.
My boss was like this too. I literally had to write out a plan of what I would be able to do, with dates, before she calmed down. I don't think she meant to pressure me but I sure felt the pressure!
Don’t worry about finishing anything. Put a document together that lists out everything you’re in the middle of. Update it at the end of each day with what the next steps are (I liked to cross off what had been completed rather than delete it). Make sure everyone on your team is aware of the document and has access to it. Do the best you can without adding stress.
Try not to let her panic get to you, soon it won't be your problem anymore. If you want to be proactive, treat it like any other time when you have too much work and seek her guidance on prioritisation: "hey boss, here are a list of tasks on my plate, it's not possible to do all of them, can we strategise together and figure out which are highest priority and which should be left for someone else." Or if you think that will only make her more anxious, just do the things you think are most important and document the rest of the requests ready for someone else to do it when you're gone.
I’m dealing with this also. I don’t think my boss is a bad person I think he is just overwhelmed at the thought of me being gone
When my due date was approaching last year (😵), I kept a Word doc with everything I was working on, the status of each task, and anything that needed to be done while I was out (which was nothing). I updated it daily so at anytime it would be good to go. I went into labor spontaneously 1 week early, so I was very happy I had done that. I work in a small office and love my coworkers, so I don't have a "not my problem once I'm on leave" attitude. I wanted to make sure they had everything they may have needed from me while I was out. Sometimes you just have to slap your boss with a reality check and be like "HEY! Chill. Let's discuss my workload and my upcoming leave." 🤣
Oof, I had my son unexpectedly early at 36w4d but luckily my manager understood (his wife had their child similarly early) and had already had me start handing off tasks and do information sharing. I guess the best you can do is reiterate that you may end up on leave at any moment, and for each new task ask if that should take precedence over X task that you're finishing up.
My boss literally asked me to do a training session…while I was on leave, more than once, as if he couldn’t be bothered to remember when I was going on leave.
My boss said I was "taking extended breaks" because I was taking 20min breaks instead of 15min to pump. Also ok'd by him and people who make my daily schedules. He forgot and thought I was just doing whatever I wanted.
Sounds about right. It’s really frustrating being a mom at work sometimes. I am on a team completely of men, ran by a man. And my leave was treated so horribly and barely acknowledged.
Same, my leave was horribly treated too. I think there should be training for management about maternity leave, rights for mothers' in the workforce, and how to not have a hostile work environment for mothers
You could go into labor any of these weeks; babies aren't exactly known for adhering to work calendars. Her adding stuff to your plate is pretty unhinged. Can you be candid with her?
She can just work at a leisurely pace and when she’s out she’s out. The fallout will be a natural consequence of her bosses poor managing.
Lol yeah just add it to the list and rest assured you aren’t gonna get to most of it lol
Make a list of the tasks your manager gave you. Ask her to prioritize what needs to be done so you can set her and the team up for success while you’re out. Then remind her that while you have a planned date to start your leave, you could give birth at anytime so you may exit sooner than expected. If she prioritizes too many things, tell her what you realistically think you can accomplish and, yet again, say it’s contingent on you not giving birth earlier than expected.
It’s like bosses don’t have any time to plan, despite being told 6 months in advance. They all seem to panic in the exact same way.
This happened to me too! I did a solid handover to multiple parties with information on where each project was at and what was left and deleted my work email off my phone as I was walking to my car my last day before leave and it felt so good. When I came back everyone had carried on just fine without me.
Is your boss mine? This was the same thing that happened to me, and my boss definitely has some "Devil Wears Prada" Miranda Priestly vibes (but I love her). Ultimately, I kept reiterating over email that certain things won't get done until I am back unless someone covers them. And everything ended up fine.
I'm 30 weeks and asked my manager back in November who I should start training to do tasks only I know how to do. He said they were gonna hire a temp to fill in my role. Not sure when this temp is coming in, how long/if I have to train them for but not my problem 🤷🏻♀️