"You leave early"

[Anonymous]

I work slightly different hours than most of my coworkers, including my boss - I get in at 7:30 and leave at 4:30. I've had this schedule since I started here (and before I had kids), and I try to make an extra effort to get in "face time" (I hate that phrase) as a reminder that I'm here and contributing, just at slightly different hours than some of my co-workers.

OP, there are some people who are always looking to keep score, and it sounds like the boss who made this comment to you is one of them. While parents are often the targets of people looking to keep tabs on who's working what hours, they aren't the only ones - I used to work in an office with a colleague who was taking college courses at night, and every time she left for class (at what was our alleged quitting time), the same person would say "must be nice to leave early!" Work shouldn't be a contest about who can stay there the latest - I second the idea of giving your boss weekly progress updates to hammer home just how productive you are.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PPs about sending emails that show that you're in the office early. Also - can you bring your computer home at night? I think it would help change your boss's perspective if you occasionally sent a few emails from home after your kid(s) are in bed at night. I know it's completely stupid, but in my experience there are a lot of bosses out there who subtly - or not so subtly - discriminate against working moms and it sounds like your boss is that type. Sending the emails from home at night is a way to get in some "face time" with him, without actually having to alter your schedule.

[Anonymous]

I work in HR and I HATE "ass in seat" mentality. We all work at different paces. I second all of the postings about documenting, documenting, documenting. It is time for you to switch into CYA mode, which is very unfortunate.

I was harassed by my boss at my last company. It started out with little comments - he liked my outfit or the color of my hair - things like that. Over the course of 2 years, it escalated to the point that I didn't want to be alone with him. He would talk directly to my breasts, riffle through my desk when I wasn't there, touch me on every given opportunity, had a "mandatory" pool party at his house, set up the work flow that I had to come see him everyday for sign-off on this and that, etc., etc., etc. And we had to travel together too... I used to take separate flights but he would still invite me to his hotel room to talk about work. When I was 8 months pregnant, I had finally had enough and went to HR. Keep in mind how awkward this was - HR going to HR about HR. I had nothing documented and no proof whatsoever. I was promptly let go due to "job elimination." When I went to an attorney, I had nothing to go on because, as I already mentioned, I had nothing documented. As the attorney put it, I had no "smoking gun."

I was a terribly sad lesson to learn, especially during a time when all I should have been worried about was newborn poopy diapers.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has been discriminated against for being a mom and having an early schedule, I share your frustration with this. In my situation, a comment like that did have meaning and I was asked to leave the job (I was also pumping, so I couldn't put in much "face time" and often had my door closed, which I think sealed my fate). It is unjust and illegal, but it happens and in many cases there is little recourse. You know your office environment best as to whether this is a likely outcome, but at a minimum it sounds like documentation along the lines that several PPs suggested couldn't hurt.

[Anonymous]

That is interesting, OP. Because when I worked, most everyone had early hours, and I had late hours. But the early birds were more highly regarded there (even though we all worked the same # of hours). Ah, well. I guess it depends on the overall group and what most of them do.

Regarding your boss, I wouldn't change your hours back if I were you. Since you've been back from maternity leave for years, and you've had an early schedule for years, then your boss already has his impression of you and changing your hours won't change his impression.

Unfortunately, some people are biased against moms in the workplace.

I would send him early morning emails from work and very late emails on your blackberry. But I wouldn't address the issue with him directly.

[Anonymous]

I'm 17:17. If you really can't stand him, I would find another job.