https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:20:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-312319 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:01:42 +0000 looch 312319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an employee, I think regularly scheduled one to one meetings are very important. It's a time where a manager can get a formal update on things that are going on and it creates a sense that the manager wants to hear from their staff. </p> <p>As for the Monday/Thursday meetings...are you included? Is there a formal agenda? Maybe you can ask if you take over the agenda prep, so it forces you to be involved? </p> <p>As for the impromptu meetings, is there an agenda there? Those sound a bit strange to be honest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311404 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:14:35 +0000 JennyD 311404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting.</p> <p>I love meetings. But I work for a small company and things are quite informal here, so when there's a formal meeting, there's important information being given. </p> <p>And what's his deal? I would have a frank discussion with him about what's going on. Particularly the meetings that you are being excluded from while you're pumping (Kudos, by the way). That is unacceptable. Everyone is NOT available if you are pumping, and whether he means to or not, he is sending a strong message not including you like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311331 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:31:35 +0000 ladyfingers 311331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, he sounds like a micromanager who took the opportunity of your maternity leave to start doing things the way he wants to do them. I *hate* meetings. I used to work at a place where we'd have meetings about having meetings. It was so effing ridiculous. I am so grateful to work where I do, where we don't have meetings, just random pop-ins from my boss and whatnot. </p> <p>I think you got some good advice, I don't have much to add because I'm not usually aggressive enough in situations like this! I hope it gets better for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311258 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:49:42 +0000 Goldilocks1107 311258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably point out that having meetings because "no one is busy" is counter-productive.</p> <p>Instead of pointing out how YOU don't like meetings, maybe point out the reduced productivity from all the meetings "Here's the update on this project. Joe isn't as far along as he normally would be at this stage because he's been away from his desk more. Before I went on leave, I noticed people seemed to do better with fewer interruptions to their day and tried to keep any meetings to an absolute minimum."</p> <p>95% of the time, meetings are a waste of MY time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311256 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:47:31 +0000 Mrsbells 311256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate meetings so I wouldnt mind if he started meetings while I was pumping, infact i might intentionally pump at times when i know he wants to have meetings </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311243 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:39:53 +0000 LemonLong 311243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is strange and definitely frustrating! I would sit down and have a heart-to-heart with him and ask him if he is seeing gaps in the team's performance that is causing him to schedule so many meeting. I would also remind him that while you are glad he wants a close relationship with your employees, you would prefer that he works with you directly so that the team is receiving direction from one person.</p> <p>As far as meetings go, I manage a team and I do have individual meetings with each of my employees but I let them set them to their individual preference. I have some who prefer to meet monthly, biweekly, weekly, and one who prefers to meet daily. In our one-on-one meetings we talk about their individual tasks and goals and their progress towards career development so they always know where they stand. These usually aren't more than half an hour long.</p> <p>Then we have a longer monthly meeting where we talk about overreaching policies, things that impact the team, company culture, team updates etc. Though on some teams I have made the meeting weekly if there was a lot going on or a need for information to be shared more timely. I've also done quick 15 minute "huddle" meetings every morning for teams where there were tight deadlines and lots of changes going on that needed to be communicated frequently. Pick a frequency that works best for you and communicate to your boss that this will be when the meetings are and extra meetings may be hurting your team's productivity and therefore morale. </p> <p>Maybe see if your boss is open to you setting up the individual meetings (with you leading them!) on a personal preference basis. If he still wants to meet with your staff, I would include him in the monthly overall team meeting and allow him to do a skip level meeting quarterly where he can get face time with your staff to understand how it is going without you being there to influence opinions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311212 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:18:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 311212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree, meetings are most often a waste of time. </p> <p>Can you come up with a different way to get individual updates other than have a meeting. What if you propose asking everyone to update a spreadsheet or send an email of activities that you could provide to him in writing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311185 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:05:43 +0000 pl0508 311185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. i hate meetings too.<br /> 2. I think if you told him you feel you should take over the meetings or at least be involved he should have gotten the picture. I would just start going to them too since they are open door! </p> <p>maybe he will back off after a while and then you can cancel them and go back to your usual routine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311179 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:01:36 +0000 Alivoo01 311179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice since you've already tried telling him that you would like to take over since you're back... Sorry you have to go through this.</p> <p>I can commiserate though. I hate unnecessary meetings too! My previous boss had them all the freakin time. If they're productive fine, but hers weren't! Let's say the meeting is scheduled for an hour, she'll always go over AND 85% of the time we're stuck in her office is her story telling about her previous jobs or random personal life things. WTF?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311168 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:56:05 +0000 littlek 311168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate meetings too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311167 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:55:48 +0000 littlek 311167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is weird. I would definitely be annoyed. Have you talked to him about how now that you are back you would like to move back into your role and that by him having these meetings he is undermining you to the people that work for you. I'd find a delicate way to say it since he's your boss but he needs to back off and know that you won't be bullied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-after-maternity-leave-feelinganxious#post-311162 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:52:28 +0000 mediagirl 311162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, I started work on the 11th. I'm a manager of my department. My boss is big into some things I am not into - like lots of meetings. He loves having meetings. Meetings are not my strong suit. If I have one meeting with my team a week and catch up with them here and there on issues, I'm happy. </p> <p>While I was out, he instituted a Monday morning meeting, a Thursday afternoon meeting AND separate meetings with each team member. Since I've been back, he has had "impromptu" meetings that have started while my door was closed (I was pumping). His reason for starting was, "everyone was here and no one was busy." ...."Everyone was here..." Except your team manager.... That really bugged me. I told him it bugged me and he explained that he just thought he would get it started. Obviously, he doesn't get it.</p> <p>He is also continuing on with the individual meetings even though I made it clear either I should take them over or I need to be involved with them. </p> <p>Do you think this is a case of not being able to let go of control or he is trying to push me to see what I'll do? Perhaps he doesn't realize what he continues to do. </p> <p>I obviously can't do anything about a meeting he starts while I have my door closed and can't see what is gong on. As for the other meetings, should I just join in on them (they are open door) so he understands I am uncomfortable with him still having these meetings since he doesn't seem to get it when I TELL him that?</p> <p>Sorry for the novel. Thanks for any advice. :) </p>