| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Danaj 
Senior Member
Joined: 25 March 2008
Location: Palmy North
Points: 1549
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: How do I tell my boss.......
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 5:14pm |
|
Ok, some of you ladies have been SO helpful with advice when I was having majors deciding (my previous post called Work Hours).
I still have to talk to DH about it but I had a good chat to my nail tech today (that woman is a god) and I think i've decided that i'm going to take term one off as already decided, and now I want to take term 2 off as well. I was going to go back full time, then part time, now not at all.
I was so busy worrying about work, feeding, daycare, DH being in Afghanistan when I go back, and timelines, that I completely neglected to consider bonding with my little girl. I mean I'm having a BABY, not just something that I can slot into a hectic timetable!
So, seeing that i've already broached the part time thing with my boss (she's in Dunedin so all via email) and i've told her that i'm coming back in term 2, how do I now tell her I don't want to come back till term 3? She's going to freak big time and I hate this kind of thing.
|
|
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
Andie
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 3614
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 5:25pm |
|
Having never had maternity leave of PPL, I could be wrong on this, but I think it's cool for you to take a year 'maternity leave' and there is time during that by which you need to advise your boss of your intentions - whether to come back or not, part-time or full, etc, and negotiate that with them. That gives them the freedom to hire someone else to fill the position for a full year, and you time to consider what you'll want to do. I don't think you're at all obliged to or expected to know at this stage exactly when or if you want to return.
|
|
Andie
|
|
Danaj
Senior Member
Joined: 25 March 2008
Location: Palmy North
Points: 1549
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 5:30pm |
|
Hi Andie, I'm allowed the 52 weeks but I think 6 months should be ok. Legally i'm entitled but i'm just not sure how to broach it with her. She's going to have a break down I know it! (she's a bit of a stress merchant).
|
|
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 6:50pm |
|
If she has a break down, that's not your problem it's hers, she has a fair amount of notice if you do it now. I would just say basically what you said in your post. You have sat down and thought about it and would like to take x amount of time off, coming back on x date. Perhaps put a little note apologising for changing your mind on what you would like to do but you feel this is best for your family.
|
|
Natalie_G
Senior Member
Joined: 09 June 2008
Location: North Shore
Points: 1638
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:12pm |
|
I know what you mean, I have just finalised all my leave and returning to work options today. I will be returning to work 31st August 09, but I have the option to ask for longer time off. Which is great.
It is scary, but like kebakat says you have given enough notice and you are entitled to 1 year of maternity leave.
|
|
|
|
AandCsmum
Senior Member
Joined: 13 May 2008
Location: Palmerston North
Points: 8432
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:13pm |
Go for it Dana.....Yeah it sucks telling your boss but the sooner you do it the sooner the worry is over for you & starts for her 
I remember the first time I was SO nervous...I would pick up the phone though rather than email her. She should understand.
Just ring her up with that purpose in mind, make sure all your other work is out the way & do it in private & take a deep breath & say I have rung you to discuss my maternity leave. Say that you have decided that it is best for you & your family that you take 6 months off & concentrate on motherhood than return early to work & be torn between the two (might work in your favour as a boss always wants 110% )
I know it's so much harder to extend leave than to cut it short. You might love motherhood & try & get the full 12 months or you might not like it and shorten it. I could have sworn that I would have hated motherhood, but I really loved it, this time around I want to be there all I can.
|
Kel
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12
|
|
busymum
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 12236
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:21pm |
|
I'm not sure if I'd bother saying anything at this point TBH in case you change your mind again LOL. Have you put in your PPL notice? You can do that anytime from now, just make sure that you ask for the full 12 months leave and you might want to put in your letter that at this stage, you intend to return to work earlier than 12 months and you will give them 3 weeks' notice of that intention. (That's the legal requirement, 3 weeks notice when coming back from PPL.)
|
|
|
|
Danaj
Senior Member
Joined: 25 March 2008
Location: Palmy North
Points: 1549
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:37pm |
|
You're probably right Busymum lol! Who knows what i'll decide next week. I'm not usually this flippant I swear!!
To tell you the truth, the thought of being able to commit to being a mummy for a whole six months and not worrying about work, has made me smile more than I have since I found out we were pregnant. And, those icky anxiety attacks have started to ease ever since I started seriously considering this. I think i've just been feeling bad cause I don't like putting people out and always try to stick to my word. This is just a tad different is all.
|
|
|
|
linda
Senior Member
Joined: 02 September 2003
Points: 1211
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:46pm |
|
Can I check though, if say you want 12 months off then decide to go back after six months (giving the three weeks notice) they may decline you going back earlier if they have given a fixed contract to your replacement so there is a risk you may not be able to start back earlier.
|
Alex 6 and Harry 8
|
|
mummyofprinces
Senior Member
Joined: 10 February 2008
Location: Hibiscus Coast
Points: 8627
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 8:32pm |
|
I cant speak for everywhere, but where I work if we give a fixed term to someone covering mat leave we stipulate that is the reason for the fixed term and it may be cut short if the employee choses to return to work earlier than the agreed date. My understanding is this is because you only have to give 3 weeks notice for intent to return to work from mat leave.
I am requesting the full 12 months, but plan to only take 6 months. I am hoping for a financial miracle so I can take the full 12 months.
I will check tomorrow, I should know the answer to this but I just cant remember the actual employment law wording on this one tonight.
|
|
|
|
busymum
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 12236
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 9:00pm |
Linda you might be right that they don't have to take you on "when you say". At my work when they get someone in to cover for maternity leave, they say that right from the outset and don't put them on a fixed term. I know cause that's how I got in, in the first place 
|
|
|
|
Danaj
Senior Member
Joined: 25 March 2008
Location: Palmy North
Points: 1549
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 9:37pm |
|
Just Skyped DH and had a really good chat about the whole thing. I was a bit worried he would be concerned about the extra time off as it delays our house buying plans. I should have known he would support me with this. He said our daughter comes first and he agrees that she should be at home with her mother for as long as we can financially cope!! He said to call my boss and tell her i'm not back till term 3.
I suddenly feel so relaxed......
|
|
|
|
Bizzy
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 10974
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 08 October 2008 at 10:33pm |
she'll get over it cause theres heaps of time... its not as if you only gave her a days notice or anything...
|
|
|
|
How do I tell my boss.......
