Anonymous wrote:I was out of my job for a four month maternity leave, and there were major changes while I was gone. The head of the organization was replaced and a new right hand man was brought in.

To say that this right hand man has it out for me is an understatement. I went from being an extremely valued employee, "the person who could do no wrong," to "the person that can do no right" overnight. I really don't think it is something I did, because the person had it out for me before even meeting me in person. If the old head was there, I don't think this would be as big of an issue, because we had such an excellent relationship. I get along well with the new one but we simply do not know each other as well.

I would look for a new job in a heartbeat except that I have a very flexible PT schedule, and I would never be able to stay at my level PT in a new organization. Even if I took an entry level version of my current job, a PT position would be extremely difficult to find (though not impossible). I don't know what to do. I don't want to work FT, but at the same time I have a stellar reputation with my current organization (minus any damage that this person has already done) and I am afraid that the longer I stay, the more my reputation will suffer.

Has anyone been in this position? Trying to figure out if there is some way this could improve, and/or if I should wait it out until it's either so intolerable that I quit or I get fired, or if I need to suck it up and just look for FT work because of the potential damage to my reputation.

There's your problem. You may or may not have been valuable. The previous manager put you on a pedestal and what happens is the pendalum swings the other way and you get knocked off.

Look for a new position and always be wary of becoming that employee again.

I returned from maternity leave twice. The first time was as if I was never gone, the second, I returned to a totally new place. I knew after 3 days I needed a new job. It took me a year to find it.

Start looking. Flexible jobs are out there. Don't quit work. Most people would rather hire a fresh college student than a person with a few year gap. And have you seen the studies as to what quitting does to your salary?

I was in a similar situation. Was very well regarded and considered valuable before going on maternity leave. Came back to a lateral transfer into another group, which was not a good fit (both in terms of technical skills as well as personality-wise). There was new management and she took a deep dislike to me almost immediately. I stuck around for a year before leaving.

Thanks for all of the responses. I think all of you are so right that this is just not working out for this person and they want me out. (Yes, btw, this was all formalized by HR).

I also cannot afford to quit unless we make some major lifestyle changes. We bought a house and our price range was influenced by the fact that I am working. I suppose that we could technically make it work without my income but things would be extremely tight.

I wish that I had never taken this job. I had no clue how different things would be when I went back. We could have just bought a cheaper house or kept renting for a bit longer and I would not feel so pressured.

Right now, I basically see two options: (1) stick it out as long as possible until it's truly intolerable or I get fired, or (2) find a FT position. Both obviously have their own sets of positives and negatives. I would like to buy myself some more time because the thought of putting my one year old in daycare just makes me want to cry. But then if I wait until I get fired, then maybe I won't even have the option to go somewhere else FT. This is such a mess.

I'm in the same position OP. I was away for almost 3 years. In my organization that is not uncommon. My job was kept open for me with a long term consultant.
From being a good performer I can now do nothing right. It is exhausting. 6 months after I returned we had our appraisals and I received a bad performance review for the first time in my working life of 18 years. It means I am stuck. I cannot move within the organization with my most recent review and things are just getting worse in my current role. I also have a very flexible arrangement which will; be hard to find elsewhere. Can't afford to quit.

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also, can you transfer within the organization? Perhaps to a manager who knows your track record?

It sounds like you had a great setup before (maybe a "too good to be true forever" type deal), but it may not have been realistic or sustainable. The fact that it will be hard to find a similar PT position indicates that.

This. DH used to be a COO of a smallish company (about 20 employees) and 3 people had incredibly flexible schedules that were kind of "grandfathered in". New CEO came on board and was annoyed that these 3 had such flexible schedules and didn't see the need for their positions anymore. DH refused to fire them since their schedules had been agreed upon and signed off on but the CEO made them pretty miserable and also turned a lot of people against them in the office. (think..."I'm sorry Sally I know your kid isn't feeling well, but because Molly leaves early on Wednesdays I don't think I can let you leave early too") DH ended up leaving the company because he was miserable, and 2 of the 3 quickly followed him.

I was in a position similar to yours. Took me a while to realize it was healthier to leave than to stay.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry - I forgot to mention that I have been back for a year already. Things are not improving (in some ways they are getting worse). Totally agree with you that the new person probably thinks it is ridiculous that I have such a flexible schedule. In some ways, it is, except that I have such a stellar track record with the organization. This was their idea, not mine (I was planning to quit outright before this was offered).

First Pp here. In that case, I'd either quit to be a SAHM or look for a job elsewhere. It might not be working for him. Maybe other people have expressed annoyance that you get the flexibility and no one else does and he wants you gone so they can have a blanket no PT/Flexible time policy. This job doesn't sound like a good fit anymore.

PP here. Also, can you transfer within the organization? Perhaps to a manager who knows your track record?

It sounds like you had a great setup before (maybe a "too good to be true forever" type deal), but it may not have been realistic or sustainable. The fact that it will be hard to find a similar PT position indicates that.

Was/is your flexible schedule formalized with HR? If not, the new org leader may want their employees around on a regular schedule.

It is unfortunate, but organizations change, especially in the climate of cut backs (benefits, perks, pensions, etc.).

(quit outright to be a SAHM, not to go elsewhere)

I'm sorry - I forgot to mention that I have been back for a year already. Things are not improving (in some ways they are getting worse). Totally agree with you that the new person probably thinks it is ridiculous that I have such a flexible schedule. In some ways, it is, except that I have such a stellar track record with the organization. This was their idea, not mine (I was planning to quit outright before this was offered).

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the new person probably saw how it was run without you there and might not see (yet) why you are needed in your position. It also sounds like you have a PT flexible schedule is abnormal in your field. Probably even more of a reason why the new person might not see why you are needed.

I'd give it a little time to prove yourself to the new person while also looking for a new job.

PP again. I will say, I saw this at my old job with someone who went out on maternity leave (a little less than 4 months). The new person came in just before coworker went out for maternity leave, so most of her work was already delegated to other people on the team. It took about a month for the new person to realize that the coworker was a needed member of the team.

Honestly, the new person probably saw how it was run without you there and might not see (yet) why you are needed in your position. It also sounds like you have a PT flexible schedule is abnormal in your field. Probably even more of a reason why the new person might not see why you are needed.

I'd give it a little time to prove yourself to the new person while also looking for a new job.

I was out of my job for a four month maternity leave, and there were major changes while I was gone. The head of the organization was replaced and a new right hand man was brought in.

To say that this right hand man has it out for me is an understatement. I went from being an extremely valued employee, "the person who could do no wrong," to "the person that can do no right" overnight. I really don't think it is something I did, because the person had it out for me before even meeting me in person. If the old head was there, I don't think this would be as big of an issue, because we had such an excellent relationship. I get along well with the new one but we simply do not know each other as well.

I would look for a new job in a heartbeat except that I have a very flexible PT schedule, and I would never be able to stay at my level PT in a new organization. Even if I took an entry level version of my current job, a PT position would be extremely difficult to find (though not impossible). I don't know what to do. I don't want to work FT, but at the same time I have a stellar reputation with my current organization (minus any damage that this person has already done) and I am afraid that the longer I stay, the more my reputation will suffer.

Has anyone been in this position? Trying to figure out if there is some way this could improve, and/or if I should wait it out until it's either so intolerable that I quit or I get fired, or if I need to suck it up and just look for FT work because of the potential damage to my reputation.