Hi All,

I am currently on maternity leave, and plan on returning in June/July-ish. While I am away, someone else is acting in my position (which is a one-person state government office). This person was a friend of mine before she took on the contract. Up until recently she had been keeping me up to date with happenings at work, and as I'm still undertaking a research project while on leave (and not getting paid for it - but I wanted to see it through) I have been using my work laptop etc. on occasion. Anyhow, things have changed apparently, and she now doesn't want me near the place, saying that I'm on leave and it's none of my business. I am the incumbant, it is my job and my office as far as I am concerned. While on maternity leave I retain all my entitlements as an officer of the department, so why should i not have access to departmental resources if I so choose?

What do you think? What's the etiquette here? I know I've had a hard time "letting go" as such, but in all reality, I am going to have to pick up where she leaves off shortly, and as I see it, it's better for my clients if I'm not completely left out of the loop while I'm on leave. Do you think she is being unreasonable? Am I being unreasonable expecting to be kept in the loop? What are the rules here?????

Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated...