Return to Office 3 Weeks Before Due Date

[Anonymous]

We've been partially working in the office for a while now, but we were recently told we'll be returning to the office full-time 3 weeks before my due date. I fully expected that telework would not continue but can't help but be annoyed at this timing for me personally. Would it be reasonable to ask about extending some telework through those last few weeks, or do I just need to suck it up and waddle through? I don't have a terrible commute or anything, but I remember being very uncomfortable with my first in those last few weeks and having on and off contractions for days.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't hurt to ask. I'd aim for 3 days at home, 2 days in the office. They may be resistant because they don't want to already start allowing exceptions.

The last 3 weeks, in the summer, is a rough time in pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

That really sucks! I'm sorry OP. I'm also due this summer and can't imagine returning full time right before delivery. I would show up and then in person ask for a few days of telework a week just before delivery. And state you'll be back full time once the baby is born.

I went to 42 weeks and my managers always let me telework full time once I hit 40 weeks. They were men and I think a bit scared of me going into labor at work. ha

[Anonymous]

I teleworked thru my last weeks pre-covid and am doing it again now. Like PP mentioned, my bosses also were happy to dodge any risk I would go into labor at work.

[Anonymous]

for my DD a couple years ago, I actually asked to telework the last month before my due date. We didn't really telework at the time but I was just in a lot of pain and thought why not to ask. My boss actually approved it since...no one wants to say no to a pregnant lady 9 months + unless they have to.. I think I came in once for a meeting I really needed to be there for, but other than that they were completely fine with it.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, worst case they say no

[Anonymous]

I would definitely ask. I know so many people who have done this, I don't think it's an unreasonable ask.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a medical reason not to telework while the rest of your collegues have to suck it up the commute, get dressed in the morning, juggle their own families/kid drop-offs, and otherwise be accountable?

As your coworker, I'd be annoyed that you get this special treatment for no good reason except that it's a personal convenience...and your due date could go 2 weeks beyond what the calendar says - so a total of 5 "extra" weeks of teleworking perks over the rest of us.

It may look bad OP - optics and all - especially with your work load, I presume, getting off-loaded onto your collegues while on maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

I'm honestly psyched that we're going back right before my due date - I'd like to get some face time with folks and get back into the groove before maternity leave. Partially, I think, because covid started in the middle of my last maternity leave, so I don't want to go right from maternity leave to maternity leave without seeing anyone face to face!

I wouldn't ask unless you have a specific reason - just "the last three weeks of pregnancy kinda suck" doesn't feel like enough. If your commute is long and you want to be close to home for labor, okay, ask. If you walk to work and it'll be too hot those last couple weeks, okay. But if you'll just be uncomfortable and contracting at your desk - wouldn't that be the same if you were home? It feels like by asking to telecommute, you're basically saying "I was going to phone it in those days anyway."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a medical reason not to telework while the rest of your collegues have to suck it up the commute, get dressed in the morning, juggle their own families/kid drop-offs, and otherwise be accountable?

As your coworker, I'd be annoyed that you get this special treatment for no good reason except that it's a personal convenience...and your due date could go 2 weeks beyond what the calendar says - so a total of 5 "extra" weeks of teleworking perks over the rest of us.

It may look bad OP - optics and all - especially with your work load, I presume, getting off-loaded onto your collegues while on maternity leave.

Um, yeah, she has a reason and it's called late pregnancy! WTF is wrong with you? And who cares about your annoyance? - oh, that's right, no one, so you can just stuff it. It's brainwashed, selfish creeps like you that insist on keeping workplace standards so crappy not just for women in the late stages of pregnancy, but for everyone. It's ok to acknowledge people have lives and human needs and for the workplace to have some common sense and compassion. I am glad I am in a senior management position now where I can make humane decisions on accommodation requests like this (OP, I would absolutely approve you to continue teleworking and agree with others that you should ask)...and also take appropriate action with the sort of bitter, bean-counting employees who need to be shoved out the door.

[Anonymous]

I did this for two weeks before my due date for baby 1 pre covid. I think it’s common especially if workplace flexibility is the norm in your office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a medical reason not to telework while the rest of your collegues have to suck it up the commute, get dressed in the morning, juggle their own families/kid drop-offs, and otherwise be accountable?

As your coworker, I'd be annoyed that you get this special treatment for no good reason except that it's a personal convenience...and your due date could go 2 weeks beyond what the calendar says - so a total of 5 "extra" weeks of teleworking perks over the rest of us.

It may look bad OP - optics and all - especially with your work load, I presume, getting off-loaded onto your collegues while on maternity leave.

Um, yeah, she has a reason and it's called late pregnancy! WTF is wrong with you? And who cares about your annoyance? - oh, that's right, no one, so you can just stuff it. It's brainwashed, selfish creeps like you that insist on keeping workplace standards so crappy not just for women in the late stages of pregnancy, but for everyone. It's ok to acknowledge people have lives and human needs and for the workplace to have some common sense and compassion. I am glad I am in a senior management position now where I can make humane decisions on accommodation requests like this (OP, I would absolutely approve you to continue teleworking and agree with others that you should ask)...and also take appropriate action with the sort of bitter, bean-counting employees who need to be shoved out the door.

+1000

[Anonymous]

At the end of my second, pre-Covid pregnancy, my boss was so concerned I’d go into labor at the office, he practically begged me to telework, and this was at a very non-telework friendly, male-dominated workplace. It seems like it might be worth asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a medical reason not to telework while the rest of your collegues have to suck it up the commute, get dressed in the morning, juggle their own families/kid drop-offs, and otherwise be accountable?

As your coworker, I'd be annoyed that you get this special treatment for no good reason except that it's a personal convenience...and your due date could go 2 weeks beyond what the calendar says - so a total of 5 "extra" weeks of teleworking perks over the rest of us.

It may look bad OP - optics and all - especially with your work load, I presume, getting off-loaded onto your collegues while on maternity leave.

Um, yeah, she has a reason and it's called late pregnancy! WTF is wrong with you? And who cares about your annoyance? - oh, that's right, no one, so you can just stuff it. It's brainwashed, selfish creeps like you that insist on keeping workplace standards so crappy not just for women in the late stages of pregnancy, but for everyone. It's ok to acknowledge people have lives and human needs and for the workplace to have some common sense and compassion. I am glad I am in a senior management position now where I can make humane decisions on accommodation requests like this (OP, I would absolutely approve you to continue teleworking and agree with others that you should ask)...and also take appropriate action with the sort of bitter, bean-counting employees who need to be shoved out the door.

+1000

late pregnancy is not a reason for a normal textbook pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a medical reason not to telework while the rest of your collegues have to suck it up the commute, get dressed in the morning, juggle their own families/kid drop-offs, and otherwise be accountable?

As your coworker, I'd be annoyed that you get this special treatment for no good reason except that it's a personal convenience...and your due date could go 2 weeks beyond what the calendar says - so a total of 5 "extra" weeks of teleworking perks over the rest of us.

It may look bad OP - optics and all - especially with your work load, I presume, getting off-loaded onto your collegues while on maternity leave.

Um, yeah, she has a reason and it's called late pregnancy! WTF is wrong with you? And who cares about your annoyance? - oh, that's right, no one, so you can just stuff it. It's brainwashed, selfish creeps like you that insist on keeping workplace standards so crappy not just for women in the late stages of pregnancy, but for everyone. It's ok to acknowledge people have lives and human needs and for the workplace to have some common sense and compassion. I am glad I am in a senior management position now where I can make humane decisions on accommodation requests like this (OP, I would absolutely approve you to continue teleworking and agree with others that you should ask)...and also take appropriate action with the sort of bitter, bean-counting employees who need to be shoved out the door.

+1000

late pregnancy is not a reason for a normal textbook pregnancy.

^^ "not a reason for not returning to the office" ^^

[Anonymous]

Just ask.