Maternity leave - possible change in role when I return

A

anniek

Guest
I would appreciate your advice on this matter.
I work in a position which involves some international travel (1-2 weeks up to 3-4 times a year). My role is completely office based for the remainder of the time and comprises other activities not related to the international travel section of my job. I am a permanent member of staff and international travel is not specified in my job contract.

I am due to go on maternity leave shortly. My boss wishes to replace me for the period of my maternity leave with somebody who will engage in a significant amount of international travel, often at little notice, for periods of up to 5-6 weeks and up to 10 times per year. My replacement is not expected to take over any of my office based duties (they will be split amongst other staff). We are also awaiting the results of a restructuring plan which could mean that my office-based duties are relocated to a different section of the business.

I am concerned that
(a) I will be expected to assume the onerous international travel schedule of my replacement on my return from maternity leave. I have already outlined my concerns to my boss and she has verbally agreed that it would not suit me as I will have young child and that she would not expect me to take up this role and
(b) negotiations due to restructuring will take place while I am on leave which could have a significant impact on my role and I will have no opportunity to contribute to them

I do have a very good relationship with my boss, however I wish to have something more than a verbal agreement for my own peace of mind and, in light of restructuring, I am unsure if my boss will be there when I return.
 
>>I am concerned that
(a) I will be expected to assume the onerous international travel schedule of my replacement on my return from maternity leave. I have already outlined my concerns to my boss and she has verbally agreed that it would not suit me as I will have young child and that she would not expect me to take up this role and
(b) negotiations due to restructuring will take place while I am on leave which could have a significant impact on my role and I will have no opportunity to contribute to them<<

I've recently returned from maternity leave and my experience is that you can find yourself on very uncertain ground. I found there's a lot of lip service about managers being understanding etc and also there is the legal entitlement . . . . .but none of it necessarily stops you from being sidelined or left drifting when you come back. You may on paper be in a similar role with same pay but in practice have no work to do, or not have the responsibility you had before, or there may be no role available so they pay you to sit there while your self esteem crumbles and they pretend everything is in order. I think it will serve you well to discuss your concerns with HR as well to cover you in case there is a different manager when you come back who expects you to take on the traveling. It certainly wouldn't do any harm. You can be open and say 'these are my fears, what can I do if it comes true'.
In relation to point B and the restructurings I think you should stay close to your manager while you are out and get regular updates about what's going on. I would take an assertive attitude with your manager and any other managers involved about what you are going be doing when you come back to make sure that they plan for your return and that there is a role there for you that is a real role not some kind of placeholder while they work out what to do with you.
Bitter experience talking.
 
Try and relax and concentrate on staying positive for the remainder of your pregnancy. If you have a good relationship with your boss I don't think you need to worry. If you, like I work in a smaller type of
Organisation where there is a flatish structure it can be difficult to see how your job will be yours when you get back.
You don't want to get all rightous and waving the law in front of your boss. Given the lenght of Maternity Leave, things will change when you are away and you do need to make an extra effort to get your feet under the table when you get back - this can be extra hard when you are trying to get your LO settled into childcare and they are sick every second week!
tThere are people who will have assumed some of your responsibilities and managing the transition when you get back can be contentious. I have returned to work twice from ML and found the best approach is to work with you colleagues and try and make their lives easier.
If there is restructuring while you are away the travel might become somebody else's role.
 
Your contract and "custom and practice" will protect you from extensive travel, and companies normally work with parents regarding extensive travel.

As the company is restructuring, and travel is impossible for you in the near future, you will have little control over new role.

contact manager / staff during maternity period, keep up to date with latest moves ... and more importantly

Congratulations, and have a happy pregnancy
 
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