NEED TO VENT

Ok let's rewind to 2003 when I gave birth to my son who was born with some major heart defects and spent almost a month in Children’s hospital. I went into work two days later and worked from his bedside not missing a beat, most people would turn everything off and focus 100% on there child but I couldn't I was single and only had one income so I made it work and worked very hard making sure I could do both. The day my son was discharged to come home all my co workers were out of town at a meeting and I basically had to beg to leave early so I could go get him. I love my job I am the office manager for a photography studio, I have been there for 8 years and still love going to work every day (until now). There is my boss and his sister is the sales manager and his niece is the operations manager (I have been there longer than she has). I was allowed to bring my son into the office for a month and a half until I was told he was to vocal...hmmm and although I was extremely grateful to have had him with me as long as I did I was still very upset that he had to go to daycare when I was in an empty office all day but we did it. Almost two years ago his niece had a daughter was off work and working from home for over a month and was allowed to bring her daughter in the office for 8 months! Seems Fair right! Ok we are up to now....His niece and I are both pregnant now she is 5 weeks ahead of me but with twins it's going to be about the same due dates. My boss has been great about this (or so I thought) he would say that we could share his great big office so we could both nurse and work and have privacy and also use our never used conference room and a baby zone! Here comes yesterday...he came into my office asking how much time and when would I need off for the twins...( UMM I don't know let me ask them when they are coming) so I said I don't plan on more than the vacation I have saved up which is three weeks and with them being able to come with me most of the time it wouldn't matter...he then told me there was no way I could do my job with two baby's in the office and that his niece was only having one so it wouldn't make that much a difference.( I do basic office work answer phones and do paperwork most of the time and when they are scheduled to come it's the end of our season hardly any calls and no paper work) I then told him with spring pictures coming up I would not be able to handle 125lb boxes or standing on my feet for long periods of time (this was not in my job description when I was hired this was something I took on when he had to make adjustments to his poor budget management skills) and he told me if he had to hire someone for that he would cut my pay....NICE and we are suppose to be one big happy family...I was so upset and in tears, I have enough to worry about now and then he brings this on...I have had major pain since being so upset so I am happy that I am seeing my peri today and the OB tomorrow. This is the first real job I have ever had and I love it, I work hard at and have proven myself time and time again. I walked out yesterday not saying a word and called in sick today (we were just having a Christmas lunch) don't feel in the spirit much! Thank you for letting me ramble and vent.

 

(((HUGS))) What hes does to you and how hes treating you is not right at all. Maybe you can sit down and talk with him and tell him how your feeling?


Good Luck and again MAJOR HUGS!!

 

I really have no advice for you. Working for a small company can be hard in terms of time off and what they have to do. I don't think it's fair that the other employee is allowed some things that you are not and I would maybe talk to him about that. I just wanted to give you a :hug99: , it's a lot to deal with.

 

I'm sorry :hug99:
I do think it would be hard to have them there and get anything done at all. I *try* to work from home and all I have to do many days is answer email and talk on the phone. The phone part is nearly impossible since the babies are always crying, talking, laughing, banging etc since they were 3 mos or so.

Maybe it's time to part ways with this company. You've put in your 'time' -- but your situation is changing and they aren't willing to change -- or they can't.

There's something better out there for you! :hug99:

 

I would start looking for another job-maybe you could plan it so you could start after you use your 3 weeks vacation/maternity leave. This does not sound like a very understanding environment you are in and you will likely need to have some flexibitly with hours at work-I dont know know...you have to do what you have to do-I wish you all the luck and hope you find some answers.

 

It sounds as if you should start branching out and looking for another job. With your experience, it should work out. It isn't fair that one person can do stuff but not you. You deserve some time off when your babies arrive! Lifting and other things are not good for you when you're pregnant! :hug99: I hope you find some answers soon!

 

It sounds like you have a lot of great, marketable skills and a proven track record of loyalty. Time to start seeing yourself as the asset, hon. You should be able to negotiate your way into a great position somewhere else.

Good luck!

 

:hug99: I'm sorry you are going through this. Work hassles are never fun. Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

I agree with most of the posts. It may be time to move on and find maybe a bigger company where you can have a more flexible schedule. Also, don't you have to right to take a maternity leave? If you won't be allowed to be at work with the babies then you should take your vacation plus your maternity leave.

Also, your boss is obligated to make arrangements so that you don't put your health or that of your babies at risk (refering to the boxes lifting). I would read carefully what the law says about all this. Family Act and so on... I would try to discuss CALMLY the issues with him (you may need references from him for a future job search) and if no agreement can be found, I would search another job.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

i agree with the others! i just dont know how anyone can work and watch a baby-or 2! its a small company; i would try to find a bigger one-more pay-dont u dare be lifting heavy things-how dare he try to cut your pay for doing a job like that NOT stated in your contract--I have worked for family buisness's too and they always got special previlges for family-ugh0-I hope u can work it out; 3 wks isnt a long time