Maternity leave as a government supervisor

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP! Yes, please take the full paid parental leave! I'm a fed supervisor and both my supv (the Branch Chief) and I are pregnant and due within a month of each other in early summer. We're still taking full PPL, plus 6-8 weeks sick leave on the front end for birth and recuperation.

We bust our butts, no guilt at all taking leave we're entitled to. We have set our team up for success with Acting opportunities and plenty of prep. We truly can't get this time back and as PPs have said, are setting a work-life balance example for our staff.

[Anonymous]

Please take the full leave. Signed, an underling who came back after 4 wks, bc that’s what all the moms do in our area.

If the women in the supervisor roles don t take it, there’s no way in hell we can.

[Anonymous]

I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

Ugh. Please, OP, as someone who has been both a supervisor and staff who had to cover a supervisor, please take your leave. Take as long as you like.

The opportunity to backfill for my supervisor was actually great for my career. Make sure you set it up formally so the person can say on their resume that they were acting supervisor, and sign off on the things that need it. Also, more than one person can take a turn, if you have the bench depth for that.

[Anonymous]

My old boss, who has now been promoted again, had four kids in quick succession and never hesitated to take her allotted time. I’ve never heard anything negative about that. But in my agency they’re used to having acting supervisors, as sometimes supervisors go on six or twelve month details.

[Anonymous]

Set the great example!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

Ugh. Please, OP, as someone who has been both a supervisor and staff who had to cover a supervisor, please take your leave. Take as long as you like.

The opportunity to backfill for my supervisor was actually great for my career. Make sure you set it up formally so the person can say on their resume that they were acting supervisor, and sign off on the things that need it. Also, more than one person can take a turn, if you have the bench depth for that.

Yes all of this!

The kind of fed supervisor who thinks they are uniquely invaluable and no one could possibly cover their work for them is probably a terrible boss with a very inflated ego. We have all known this type.

And probably does not want one of their staff to shine in an acting role and advance their own career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:keep in mind the birthing parent is entitled to 6 to 8 weeks (8 for c-section) medical leave before the parental leave.

the first person to take the then-new parental leave in my division was a guy who actually was promoted to branch chief a only a few weeks before he took the full 12 weeks.

take the leave. take all the leave you are entitled to. Folks will cope.

this one right here. take all the leave you are entitled to. including the medical leave IN ADDITION to the parental leave. They will survive just fine without you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

how old are you? Welcome to the 21st century. Ignore this advice. Your team will do fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

You have no business being a Fed supervisor with this attitude. Your employees and your colleagues have the right (and expectation) to use their leave. If nothing else, it's an important part of their compensation.

[Anonymous]

I took 5.5 months with my second kid just 4 months after becoming a supervisor! Never regretted it and I encourage all new parents on my team to take all the time they want.

[Anonymous]

I say this as an SES level Chief whose kids are all grown up - managers (of any gender) who become parents should take their leave entitlement. It's good for your and your family's long-term health, which is good for the workplace. And it sends an important message to the people.you work with that you will be a boss who will support their well-being should they ever need to take parental or other family or medical leave.

[Anonymous]

I’m a manager and just took the 12 weeks. I was relatively new in the job too. I just told people what I was taking and when I’d be back. I didn’t ask a single person’s opinion on it. I didn’t even ask my boss, although he was supportive. I think most people just wanted to know what the plan was for when I was out. I worked my tail off while pregnant and worked ahead quite a bit, but my team still struggled when I was out. I had lists of other managers in other agencies they could reach out to with questions (we’re sort of a niche area).

Hi team! I wanted to let you all know I’m pregnant. I will be starting my leave on X date (mine was week 41 since I knew I’d be overdue) and will return on X date. I have planned out who will cover for me and will let you all know the details in the coming months. (Even if you don’t know a single detail yet)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you’d think about the impact on others, not just yourself. Who is picking up your slack? As a fellow fed supervisor, I would not do this to my team. I might take a few weeks, then come back part time. I would not be completely away for 1/4 of a year.

Fed supervisor here at a good agency- I completely disagree. Sounds like your agency needs better succession planning. Anyone can give 2 weeks notice at any time. 12 weeks is nbd. 6 months might be harder since they never bring on any temps at federal agencies.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn’t you take it? That is crazy to consider not taking it!