I’m conflicted if staying or going is what’s right with my career and family.

7 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 15,2024 at 3:32PM UTC

   I changed jobs during a pregnancy to get a better wage and I did not regret it. Although I was not offered maternity leave at the old job and the new job did, thankfully. You could always apply for other jobs and see what's out there.

   Being where I am now in my life I wouldn't chance job swapping when my current job has reliable pay and maternity leave.

2. AnonymousApril 15,2024 at 4:11PM UTC

   The other factor I would say motivating me right now is they significantly reduced the size of the team I am on, which is putting more work on me. While I have some sense of job security several people have been moved or released.

3. AnonymousApril 15,2024 at 4:27PM UTC

   Definitely do some job searching. Looking doesn't hurt anything! Good luck.

4. KatApril 15,2024 at 3:44PM UTC

   Your current boss knows you're underpaid, but is unable or doesn't want to pay you what you deserve. That's not going to change. The job market isn't great right now, so you might not be able to secure a new job before your due date. I say stay where you are since you're guaranteed maternity leave. Start looking for a new job while on leave. If your boss isn't more definite about when you'll get a raise after you return from leave, then start looking in earnest. I'm sure it won't be hard to find a new job when you're ready.

5. Kimberley Ferretti HammettApril 15,2024 at 4:03PM UTC

   Why not apply and see what options open up to you? It is hard to answer the hypothetical. See what is out there and if anything promising comes up, you will have a clearer picture on what risks and rewards are in front of you. Whether they like it or not, your work is an operating cost. If your work was a product that was essential to the business and it went up in cost, they wouldn't tell the vendor "sorry, we can't pay you're raised price so we're just going to keep paying the old price and expect you to keep supplying the same amount, maybe even more". I don't think your employer is being malicious but it's worth seeing what options you have to be compensated properly for your in-demand work.

6. AnonymousApril 15,2024 at 5:07PM UTC

   Your 2nd and 3rd trimesters will fly by and even in perfect health you will want to enjoy your pregnancy and maternity leave. No matter how in demand your skill set is, the market is extremely trying at the moment so I would get your resume ready, let your network know your your timing and then coast while you can. Even $20K more is not that much after taxes. Be very wise about your stress level and peace of mind.

7. maria roseApril 15,2024 at 6:34PM UTC

   You basically answered your own question about the why you have not received a raise however you think should have been given you. But part of your frustration, you are also physically pregnant which is also changing your mind perception of the situation and you are not thinking about the effect of caring for a child will change everything you think about how you deal with job performance. You need to look at the bigger long term picture instead of the here and now. You have a job that has given you the opportunity to develop your skills and progress up in position and made accommodations for your IVF process, which sounds like they will also accommodate your needs during the birth process and your maternity leave period. You do not know how you will be adapting/adjusting until you reach those stages and what you think now may not be the same then. Of course if you have an adequate support system financially at home, where your salary doesn’t effect your lifestyle because your earnings are just for your own personal gain, it doesn’t matter what you do career wise and can take chances and have adequate support to have the childcare situation covered with no effect on your career other than a quick leave of absence to recover physically from the birth. Having a child, affects women in their career paths much more than fatherhood effects men in their careers because they have a backup system already in place—the wife. I know that sounds sexist but that’s the wall in your way along with the physical and mental challenges that you will face when you have this child and I can tell that you, the OP are determined to be successful and not let anything hold you back. You want to earn more money but you will be limited in finding that job ASAP because you are pregnant but you have a job at present that is accommodating your pregnancy and allowing you to both progress and keep working—who knows you might be able to keep working without having to take a prolonged maternity leave recovery time which means you will still be paid as an active employee versus one on leave with an adaptive schedule that fits your childcare schedule. Think about it