Work Mojo

[Meenah]

I would!!!!

[scarlett09]

The head left on vacation yesterday, and she passed the buck onto our VP/HR to tell me and our admin asst today. Because you know, she was SO busy yesterday and everything. So I have to make sure I look absolutely shocked when I find out. This place is full of over-the-top drama.

Still thinking about the money part, but I do have to stand firm on not having any additional work added to my plate. Thankfully I have a few days before the head comes back from her vacation to contemplate my next move.


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[scarlett09]

Update: I looked shocked when I was told and nearly cried a couple of times when the rest of the staff was told. The welling eyes were unprompted, as I truly am sad that the PT person is leaving us. The head is back in the office today, and beyond asking me how I was doing and saying how "she has been through bumps in the road before, but good things are coming," she has yet to speak to me or the staff directly on this issue. I have heard nothing about "the plan" either.



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[scarlett09]

Today is the PT coordinator's last day. I'm sad and frustrated. Sad because I am losing a great co-worker and friend. Frustrated because the head is an absolute nightmare. 2 months later, she still has made no movement on posting the manager position. She is simply crazy. She overruled me on something already this morning without reading my email or really listening to my concerns. It's all about power and image with her. I'm just a peon here at the office, all of us are. A group of us had dinner last night to celebrate the PT coordinator's departure, and my former manager was there. She looked so relaxed and happy. I want that too when it comes to my work, and I will definitely need to leave here in order to find it.


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[scarlett09]

Work Mojo

Ugh I am so conflicted and in need of advice about my job and where to go from here.

So my old boss' position was finally posted. There is a job description but it doesn't really list any responsibilities, just qualifications. The deadline to apply is June 20th (this Friday). The head has only had a handful of applications to date, and has done minimal advertising of the open position (mainly to our constituency). She interviewed 4 candidates last Thurs, and with the deadline approaching, will probably interview a few more soon.

I am completely conflicted about whether or not I want this job. I would like to say that I have moved up the ladder and gotten a significant raise. I know I can handle the work of putting on major events and supervising a staff of 2-3. But I don't know if I can or even want to handle being another level closer to the head and her craziness.

And then all of my thoughts about applying are impacted by being pregnant. I don't know how it will work being in this position with 2 babies at home, since the job responsibilities are not clearly defined. And I'm not sure I am going to like commuting 45 min each way every day when I have to leave them with a nanny/grandparent/daycare. What if something happens and I have to run to get them when DH is working? The crazy head had given my old boss crap in the past about stuff for her young daughter - and she was a single mom! I don't envision myself working here for 5, 10 years. The crazy head/poor resources/inadequate compensation/way too many responsibilities I am experiencing in my current position will drive me away.

My current plan (minus the job application stuff) is to ride out the pregnancy and maternity leave here. I would come back, but only if I didn't find another job. Then I would be looking for another job ASAP after I came back.

One of my managers here, who has been my support and go-to since the old boss left, made an interesting proposition today. Her idea was, since she could sense I wasn't really wanting the job, that I should email the head and ask for the following things: a title change (from associate to assistant) and a raise instead of applying for the job. It sounds like an option but I don't know what to think.

So my options are:
A) apply for job
B) don't apply for job
C) ask for a title change and raise
D) both A & C
E) both B & C
F) new option entirely

Oh and where the heck does revealing I am pregnant fit into this? I am so afraid that the head will take forever to make a decision (potentially involving my application) that my growing belly will force my hand before she makes up her mind. And that then she will discriminate against me because I am pregnant.

Sorry for the brain dump!


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[moonlight]

E

I hate to be a downer, but you can't imagine the stress of juggling work and babies. I only work part time and I feel overwhelmed many times. IMO the key to being a working a mom is having some flexibility. If you take this job, and the boss is totally inflexible you will be miserable. It hurts the heart to feel as though you are picking work over your child in daily decisions. Also, your commute sounds painful.

[MrsC]

I'm not a working Mom but I would go for B and C. Honestly, a new job and two newborns is a lot! It doesn't seem like it would really be worth it if you're not planning on staying long term. I think asking for a new title and raise is a great idea, especially since your manager suggested it. Hope it works out!

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[Pollyanna]

Since I don't get the sense that you are chomping at the bit to get this job I'm in the B and C camp as well.

[Vanquisher]

Work Mojo

B and C or F.

[alotofyarn]

Probably B and C. I admit, I really enjoy being a working mom. But I only enjoy it because I get paid really well (a bit more than twice hubby's PGY1 pay), I have an incredibly flexible schedule (when I'm not teaching, I work whenever/wherever as long as I'm productive, when I'm teaching I just have to be in class and office hours and the rest is flexible - right now I'm in the office from about 8:30-3), and I really like what I do most of the time. I also don't have too much of a commute.

It was a little tricky, as I applied for this position knowing that I was pregnant, interviewed at 12 weeks, and I didn't tell them until after everything was official, and right before I started around 18 weeks. Everybody took it really well though, thankfully.

[houseelf]

Let's get down to brass tax here. You've said unequivocally you need the income to work. You are reluctant to temp. You would love to jump ship. It sounds like you are going to stay with your current warden, oops, employer until you can figure your way out. I'm 1000% behind options A and C. Might as well go for more big bucks and/or another notch on the resume. Besides, it sounds like the higher ups ...uh...take advantage (euphemism of the year) of the fact that they have employees working for them and delegate. You could obviously be more benevolent but use the labor resources within the purview of your job. No seriously, what do you have to loose?

[SoonerTexan]

Work Mojo

Hmmm. I'm not sure where I stand. It's really really hard to work as a mom of two and I don't have twins. And frankly, I would be SCREWED without family in the area and a ridiculously flexible schedule and boss. (I work 4 days a week, can leave early whenever, can work from home as needed, and no one cares as long as I'm getting my work done)

I say explore the options but don't be afraid to back off.

I do say don't make a big transition while coming back from maternity leave. Do it before so you are used to the job or at least a few months after returning. It's just too much at once no matter how you slice it.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Let's get down to brass tax here. You've said unequivocally you need the income to work. You are reluctant to temp. You would love to jump ship. It sounds like you are going to stay with your current warden, oops, employer until you can figure your way out. I'm 1000% behind options A and C. Might as well go for more big bucks and/or another notch on the resume. Besides, it sounds like the higher ups ...uh...take advantage (euphemism of the year) of the fact that they have employees working for them and delegate. You could obviously be more benevolent but use the labor resources within the purview of your job. No seriously, what do you have to loose?

+1

Being a working mom is really, really hard but if you have no choice, maximize your income. The worst that can happen is you ask for a demotion to your current job if it proves too much.

[scarlett09]

Short update: I applied for the position on Thurs evening. Boss came back to the office and said she got my application. Wants to interview me at EOB on Thurs 6/26. Our HR person is out from 6/27 through 7/7, so I think my boss is trying to make and announce a decision by the holiday.

I still feel kind of ambivalent about the whole thing, and weirdly not stressed by the prospect of an interview (which usually does stress me out). I hope this means I am not being too complacent.

This all means I don't have to hide the baby bump much longer! It's getting harder every day.


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[houseelf]

I hope you get this job, the authority is actually easier than your current peasant status they have conferred on you now, this title makes you super attractive in the job market, and you get scooped up by an employer that is much kinder, pays better, and works better for you overall life.

Go get 'em tiger.

Team iMSN all.the.way.