I need advice!

[district12ravenclaw]

I could use some work advice, ladies! Last week, when I was at work, my boss asked me when I thought my last day of work might be. I hadn't really thought too much about it, and she tends to want answers on the spot, but I'm having a really hard time picking a time to do it. They're already interviewing for my replacement, have a strong contender in the running, and want to be able to give her a starting date. I'm afraid that if I pick a date that's too soon, I'll just be sitting around doing nothing. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, especially since I do that a lot already since I'm not working every day, and I've already started to notice that it's difficult to work these 8-10 hour days when I spend half of those hours on my feet. On the other hand, if I pick a date that's too late, I'm afraid that I'll be committing to a date that's too tough for me to make it to. I asked Steve for some advice, and he told me that it was up to me, so he was basically no help. One of my friends suggested that we ask my replacement when it would be most convenient for her to start, therefore taking the pressure off of me to give them a date. I told Steve about it, and he thought it wasn't a good idea because he thinks I should be the one making the decision, not giving the choice to someone else. Help!

Comments

[sweetjezebel.livejournal.com]

I actually like the idea about finding out when the girl would like to start. But maybe your employer could ask her instead of you doing it directly? I mean, unless you know her well. Otherwise, I'd personally err on the side of caution and leave a bit too early than work too long.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I meant to have my boss ask her; I have no communication with this new person whatsoever. I'll be posting an update post shortly.

[jillyb.livejournal.com]

I agree with the above. I'd rather leave too early than stay too late. If you're early you can always spend more time getting everything ready for the baby. I'm not much help though, since I haven't been in that situation. Good luck with your decision.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I just wasn't sure about when "early" was.

[pinkshake.livejournal.com]

I got a note from my doc that I couldn't go to work a month before I was due. If you remember my posts, my boss was a real piece of work (calling my unborn baby retarded). I was so incredibly stressed out my doctor wanted me to watch my health - blood sugar was too high. Wouldn't you know, it was normal was I was home resting.

I’m rambling.

If you can, I would take the last month off so you can nest and what not. The last month is really hard on your body.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I remember your boss, evil! I would actually probably need more than a month; my job is really physically demanding, and even though I don't work every day, it does a number on my body at the end of the day.

[luvbeingamommy.livejournal.com]

I don't remember what said last week, but I think you should quit earlier rather then later.:)

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[rancid13.livejournal.com]

I agree since you work on a part time basis, that you should stop working earlier rather than later. I got lucky in that my boss said we could feel things out as far as my maternity leave start date, but I was going to try to work right up to my due date depending on how I felt as that date approached. Since all the crap came up about possible PIH and my doc wanted to induce me right around my due date, I decided to take off work 1 week before my due date which worked out perfectly as I used that time to clean the house (knowing I wouldn't get to once the baby arrived), and relax...read, sleep, watch tv and savored every minute of it.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I would need much more than a week :). I'm probably just a giant wuss, but I'm exhausted by the end of the day.

[rancid13.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I was exhausted for the entire first trimester and part of the 2nd.I would come home from work and fall asleep on the couch half an hour later, then wake up around 9pm, wash my face, eat dinner and go to bed. I also slept a ton on weekends. It got better towards the end though, but then it also got tougher to get comfy in bed b/c you're limited in how many sleep positions you can get in.

[annie-girl.livejournal.com]

I think you should ask your doctor what s/he thinks, that way it lets you off the hook and you get the best timing. Make sure you tell your doctor exactly what type of work you do (how long on your feet at a time, etc)

[staciebratton.livejournal.com]

And this is a great idea too!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea!

[staciebratton.livejournal.com]

I plan to go to part time starting the first of June. Since I am due June 9th, that gives me about a week of ease and transition before I am due, but doesn't leave me hanging for TOO long if I end up going late. Since you are already part time, I would probably suggest the same timeline. I would stop at least a week before you are due.

I agree that you don't want to stop too early and then just be hanging around waiting to go into labor for a month!

[annie-girl.livejournal.com]

then just be hanging around waiting to go into labor for a month!

Yeah, that will make you go CRAZY!!!!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I work as a surgical tech for a plastic surgeon. In addition to assisting the doctor with the case (holding retractors, passing instruments, etc), I also have to scrub instruments, move furniture, mop the floor, clean the other surfaces in the room, create instrument packs, and do laundry. It's very physically demanding, so I know that working that long wouldn't be feasible. I'll be posting an update next though!

[mwright626.livejournal.com]

I agree with the previous posts. If stop working too soon you will drive yourself nuts. There is only so much nesting you can do. I took a 5-day weekend before Braeden was born (for 4th of July) and I almost shot myself out of boredom!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I'm typically home at least 5 days a week, so I'm actually really good with being at home. I'm so lazy :p.