Finishing work - WWYD?

[CKJ]

Brief background:

Started role in July 2011 as maternity leave cover (admin/accounts payable)- 6-12 months but expected girl would return November 2012. I have a working background in the industry so was perfect for the role and quickly settled in.

September 2011 my position changed (commercial admin) and I took over the commercial side of our business for our depot (basically looked after it all with minimal assistance from other staff and my boss). Loved this job as it showed my expertise and I quickly took over more duties. New person started into admin/ap role with lady leaving for maternity leave in October 2011. Basically we both got 6 weeks handover with her.

November I took on more work which was about 1/4 of the original admin/ap role - again showed my expertise and quickly how valuable I was.

December - found out I was expecting! Boss was happy for me but knew straight away it would be difficult to replace me as I had just taken over more of the admin/ap role (now doing 3/4 of that as well as my own job - girl was hopeless to say the least)

March 2012 - admin/ap girl was sacked and I just took over the whole role and mine (with a few things transferred to other staff members but I was happy as I was busy for the whole day and really excelling which senior management noticed - I was also completing a uni degree whilst working)

I was planning on working up until 20/7 but health soon deteriorated and it was determined that getting to 30 weeks was a priority over work. So in April they started looking for my replacement and someone started quite quickly. Health had improved so we decided my end date would be 8th June - 6 week handover but I was flexible to stay on a bit longer but this would be discussed and would be what I wanted.

So June 8th came, replacement still hadn't cottoned onto all my job, so I agreed to do 2 more weeks at part time hours, new end date 22nd June.

That date again changed and I said I wouldn't work past 6th July as I was really starting to feel the pregnancy and wanted to spend some time with DD (she was in before and after school care, at her dads every 2nd weekend and my weekend was spent with me doing uni - not very fair)

Things were going fine, role reworked and more of my work put onto other staff who had more expertise in that area. I had expressed my concerns to my boss quite some time ago that I didn't feel my replacement would cope, which was quickly dealt with but was told give her more time. I am quite good friends with my boss outside work and she knew my frustrations but her hands were tied as her boss (and depot manager) liked this girl.

So skip forward to today. Ive been counting down and looking forward to finishing. This week was meant to entail final training, update of my procedures and any loose ends. Easy week really (I'm still only doing part time hours - depends how I feel each day but usually 5 hours). I get into work at 9, my replacement in with my boss. Start doing what I have to and at 9.30 boss calls me in and informs me my replacement is leaving - I thought she meant just today (like she's sick) but was quickly told that the job is simply too hard and doesn't want to continue. To say I was fuming is an understatement (so was my boss). Only 2 weeks ago we again asked her how she was doing and not once did she mention too much work, too hard etc.

There is a lot to my job, but simple prioritizing etc means it can all be done in the week.

My boss said she feels guilty asking me to stay longer but I feel guilty leaving her in the lurch. We were joking today that at this rate I'll never leave.

I'm torn, I'm exhausted but could really do with the money. GP today said I'm fine to keep working if I'm up to it. There is no way I would do full time hours. DD is at her dads next week so I was going to be home alone nesting anyway - would working be that bad?

My boss couldn't get a definitive answer on what managements position is on finding yet another replacement as our business is also for sale (so when sold really the position will be made redundant)

What would you do? I'm only 36 weeks so can potentially work more. But given its not like a job I can go back to (I'm only a temp anyway) should I just cut my losses. I'm waiting to speak to my boss outside work and really gauge her opinion. She after all is like a big sister to me (and may potentially be in there when I give birth).

I'm torn, I don't want to let her down but I also want some me time.

And feel free to tell me I'm stupid for thinking too much about this (my mother already has!!!)

[~Hestia~]

You do sound torn but I think that's completely understandable It's a big decision.

Personally, I would lean towards cutting my losses.

[Maruschke]

Oh gosh that's hard. Be honest with your boss. Discuss working from home if at all possible?

[LuluHB]

You're stupid!! But then, so am I so do as I say and not as I do

If you're anything like me, the personal relationship you have with your boss together with your own strong worth ethic make it difficult for you to not feel obligated to do the right thing by your work, and ignore the impact it has on your own life.

FWIW, I think you should tell them that you're terribly sorry its worked out this way but that you have already stayed a month beyond what was originally agreed. Suggest that you will be available by phone to answer any queries the new person may have, but that's really the best you can do. Let's face it - you obviously don't "just" sit in a chair and answer the phone so the chances are pretty remote of them getting a replacement who can start any time within the next couple of weeks minimum. Good qualified staff are usually employed before they jump to somewhere new and so have to give notice to their existing employer etc.

I think if you don't stand by this finish date then you will find yourself still there when you go into labour. You may "only" be 36 weeks but you deserve a bit of time to yourself, and a bit of time with your DD.

[CKJ]

Thanks ladies

Hestia - you got it in 1. I love my job which is why it's so difficult. And I know if the original admin/ap person decides not to return after mat leave and the position isn't made redundant then it's mine (should I want it)

Maruschke - I wish I could work from home (so does my boss) but too much of my job is paperwork based so it's too hard.

Luluhb - I'm definitely stupid!!! Had a brief chat with my boss tonight and she is so annoyed at the response management have given her but also what the temp agency said about why she left. I'm also fuming!

Told my boss id sit down with her tomorrow and work out a plan. I don't want to work too much longer but we fear the mess she has left so new day tomorrow - see what happens!!! I've told her IF (and it's a big if) I stay on longer it will only be until next Wednesday as I have midwife appt Thursday which could result in c-section if bubs is still breech!

Thanks again for your words. Definitely made me see I am human but do need to do what's best for my little family.

[Teeki]

Well way to go new girl!! She's been there how long? And decides right at the last minute that the pregnant woman can keep doing the job that is too hard for her - not on!

I agree with everything Lulu has said. You've done your best, you've helped out their business massively, but it's time for you to come first. Realistically, you don't have long left with just you and your DD, or just time to yourself to nest and relax. You've done the hard yards and deserve a break!

I'm sure your boss will understand, and like Lulu said, it's not like you'll be able to stay long enough to to find and completely train a new person anyway, so you may as well divvy up the work and leave when you were supposed to.

Good luck!

[Tegam]

I'd leave if there is no job to return to 36weeks is huge.
As long as you feel you will get good references??

[CKJ]

You got it in 1 kaytee! 10 weeks of training and countless times of myself and my boss offering her more help, staying back, asking if she needs anything!

Will let you all know how I go with the big boss tomorrow - I know my boss will support me no matter what. She doesn't want to see me go but knows I have to do what's best (she's surprised I stayed this long lol)

[CKJ]

I'd leave if there is no job to return to 36weeks is huge.
As long as you feel you will get good references??

Yep my boss has already said she will - although I'm planning on finishing my uni degree before returning to work (so a few years)

[Tegam]

Yep my boss has already said she will - although I'm planning on finishing my uni degree before returning to work (so a few years)

That's great. Really we could always use the extra money. But we can use the extra time and rest before bubs comes even more. How would you feel if you went two more weeks and then had bubs that night? My second came at 36+5 weeks and there was no sign or reason for that happening!!

[CKJ]

Oh don't tell me that! There are bets already on Facebook on when I go lol

So far 5/7, 9/7 and 24/7. I have midwife on 12/7 and if he's breech well c-section will be booked!

I'm 36w today so any day it really could happen!

[Tegam]

Yes and you could go at 42 I guess. But there's no point getting over tired at work. The time will fly at home.

also there's more chance of little bubs turning if you are at home trying to spin him rather than in a car or sitting on an office seat

REST WOMEN REST

[LionsandBears]

Go home and rest. I admire your work ethic, but given you've had health issues already, just rest. I'd finish this week, the earlier the better. The company will cope. They'd have to cope if bub decided to come tonight, so they can cope regardless. It's better for bub if you're rested.

I had planned to work to 36weeks with DS1 but was in so much pain I finished at 32 weeks and he arrived at 35 weeks.

[CKJ]

Yes and you could go at 42 I guess. But there's no point getting over tired at work. The time will fly at home.

also there's more chance of little bubs turning if you are at home trying to spin him rather than in a car or sitting on an office seat

REST WOMEN REST

Good point! Thanks! Means I can go in with more ammo. As my mum said I'm a temp I can leave at any time!

[Tegam]

Just go in there. Have a tear slip out. Push that belly out and say your sorry who could say no to a pregnant lady

[Tegam]

You could even say 'you're' sorry, and they might not freak out about your grammar That's my pet hate and there I went a did it!!

[HotI]

I felt ok to do part time hours right up to the day DS was born, at 41 weeks. the workplace was flexible, work easy and the cash was very handy.

[CKJ]

I felt ok to do part time hours right up to the day DS was born, at 41 weeks. the workplace was flexible, work easy and the cash was very handy.

That was my initial plan - work right up due to the money issue.

To do my whole job part time wouldn't be feasible so id prefer to cut my losses and relax (especially given I just logged into centrelink and found I get my carers bonus for dd next week - which I'd forgotten all about!!!)