after returning from my mat leave, i got offered a demotion of responsibilities but kept the same pay and the same level. They gave my old responsibilities to someone less tenured and more junior than me. The local legislation doesnt explicitly state that returning moms should get the equivalent responsibilites they handled before taking the leave. I had an impecable track record but ive been bullied by my boss for the past 2 years and now my boss is just trying to see how much i can be pushed before i resign. any tips?
I feel I’m being pushed out of the team. The new responsibilities are for juniors and I am the most senior person on the team. I already submitted a file to HR prior to my mat leave about the discrimination I’ve been subjected to. This is their last push to get me to leave. They couldn’t do much before because I’m the most performing person in my region. My boss sees me as a threat and doesn’t want me to stay.
Without any details. It sounds like you are looking for a fight
atinlay - disagree. i relate to OP's experience very much. this is how high performing women are treated - sabotaged.
Maybe they're just being helpful by distributing work and encouraging you to start picking up work in a few months?
They rely on politics and quantifiable results are not important for them. We have a gang atmosphere and I’m not in it. The top management changed while I was on mat leave and now the new regional head has a similar background to mine. I am now a bigger threat to my boss because I’m actually one of the few people that know the job inside out with a track record of successful projects.
How long time passed after you returned? If it’s less than a quarter I wouldn’t think that way since roadmapping and project planning take time and team can’t simply keep some important and big size of work unallocated until you come back.
I returned last week and this is when I was briefed on my new responsibilities. I understand that things won’t stop while I’m away. But some of the responsibilities and projects that are ongoing, I’ve initiated them 4 years ago. I just passed them on to a temporary teammate while I was away and I’d like to get them back. If that’s not possible then I’d like to be given something as challenging... I’m Now given a long list of projects that I need to deliver by the end of the year, which is impossible to do.
Gets offered a demotion of responsibility at the same salary. Takes demotion. My boss is out to get me. I feel like I'm missing something here.
I didn’t accept the demotion. I’m still negotiating with hr to see what we can find as an acceptable alternative. I understand I might not get back my old responsibilities but I’m trying to find an alternative solution that would best leverage my capabilities. My question is related to the legality of demoting my responsibilities after mat leave.
I wouldn't take legal advice on blind. I'd ask a lawyer, it's easier and cheaper than people think. BUT I think at the end of the day management is gonna make up any excuse they want. I would use the extra time to start looking for a new job. At least if you convert a job you can put the ball in Management's court and have some kind of leverage. If it really is as toxic as it sounds, I'd take learning the new job any day.
Maybe your boss thinks they are doing you a favor. Many people like having less scope for a while after leave as they adjust. Just have a conversation with your manager thanking them for their consideration but that you'd prefer to jump right back in.
I have a new baby, it’s going to be tough to find a new job and pull all-nighters this early in my son’s age. I need more time in a stable environment where I know the job and I am able to do well in it
Exactly. And Uber knows they have that leverage over you, so they can treat you kinda crappy. Unfortunately, there is *nothing* illegal about what they've done. Your career at Uber is topped out. Stop trying. Stop striving. Be grateful for the easy job. Focus on your family. After 1-3 years, when kids are in school, you can start looking for new jobs & new challenges, in an environment where youre appreciated and allowed to succeed.
So you were not there and the best projects were given to other ppl. You need to have a proposal such as which project you want. It sounds like you are complaining about something that is not quantifiable.
I have a tracker of every thing that happened to me. I co piled it with a lawyer. It’s factual. I just work in a region where the law doesn’t protect me. So unless I’ll file a lawsuit again Uber globally, it won’t work and it’s not worth it. I’d rather spend my energy looking for another job. The alternative is to write a blog :)
Pretty hard to argue if you have the same pay, title and benefit
After my leave I was bullied consecutively for almost two years (boss sat next to me on a trading desk and ask a irrelevant question every 5 min all day long) I tried a number of different strategies including document my work more, taking more initials to include her on my communications, establishing status updates, working with other teams on additional projects (sponsored by skip level managing director) and nothing worked. I left after realized it’s not about me.
I had a rough couple of weeks. I’ve finally made peace with the idea that I deserve better and I’ll find another passion project elsewhere. I totally agree with you. It’s time for a move no matter how much I love my first baby (aka Uber)
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You kept your pay and level. They did nothing wrong. Projects and responsibilities can’t just stop because you are out. Business has to go on. Considering Uber’s rough patch, be happy you had the protection to enjoy.