Struggling with a decision...

Anonymous

June 20,2022 at 9:36PM UTC

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Struggling with a decision... I was hired at my current company as permanently remote employee. Part of my conversation with accepting the role was that I could be remote full time. Recently my company had a policy change, and they are requiring me to go in. The commute will take me about an hour each way.. an I wont support the facility I will be commuting to. I have been overwhelmed with Anxiety about the lifestyle change.

I have been considering looking for new opportunities, but I am 20 weeks pregnant. Its a tough time to job search, without knowing what type of leave I would qualify for.. if any.

The health benefits at my current role are GREAT, and they do offer paid maternity. However, I am severely underpaid for my work. I have done market analysis and found I could be paid easily 30k more at another organization. Trying to decide if this is worth the trade off of potentially loosing 12 weeks of paid Maternity leave.

I would appreciate any insight! I hate feeling stuck!

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Julie HumbirdJune 20,2022 at 9:57PM UTC
I think I would stick this out and have my health benefits and maternity leave covered. I hate commuting so much but you have an end in sight. 12 weeks of a baby sleeping a good deal of the day while you can schedule interviews. Be sure to check your leave policy. When I had my son, I had to 'technically' return to work to not be responsible for my health coverage premiums while I was on leave. I went back for exactly 2 weeks.
AnonymousJune 20,2022 at 10:32PM UTC
Make sure you're fully familiar with your current company policy - a place I used to work had excellent family leave time, but you had to commit to work for one year when you returned (if you left before the year, you had to pay back the leave you took). You also weren't eligible for the full benefit until you had worked there for I think two years. Are you in a position where you can resign and be a temporary stay at home mom, or do you need to maintain employment? Depending on your position, you have different paths to consider.
AnonymousJune 20,2022 at 10:41PM UTC
I agree with completing your due diligence and then deciding about what works best short term (until your baby is born) and revisit, if necessary once you are back from leave.
I am a huge believer in taking special care during your pregnancy. Perhaps you can request an accommodation until after baby is born. Speak with your obgyn to determine if they will write you a note due to you anxiety and its potential effect on the baby.
Heather BinghamJune 20,2022 at 11:19PM UTC
Check your contract again. If they state there that you are a fully remote worker, then that's a straightforward discussion - they are breaking the terms of your employment. If they won't honour your contract, then indicate that you would like to discuss a settlement for them to compensate you for, in clear terms, effectively terminating your employment unfairly. They will have to cover your maternity pay as part of that settlement. I am not in the US, but I would be utterly amazed if this didn't ring true. If in doubt, ask an employment lawyer now to check the wording and give you advice. Choose one that is well regarded, but not stupidly expensive. An early investment in their knowledge and skills may well pay you back very well.
AnonymousJune 21,2022 at 6:59PM UTC
I'm guessing that she is in the US so, unfortunately, your advice wouldn't really work for her.
AnonymousJune 21,2022 at 9:08PM UTC
I do work in the US, and unfortunately, most US based offer letters have a line that says the company can change the scope of the role at any time..
Heather BinghamJune 21,2022 at 11:33PM UTC
This is fascinating; we used to have something similar, but I haven't seen it for many years.
There are aspects that can be varied, such as premises within the same city, but if a role is remote in a contract, it is remote and it is a massive job for an employer to alter that. Only if you have time, can you tell me what else can be varied under this line? For example, can salary or working hours be varied without consultation? What about benefits like pensions and healthcare? Many thanks for any information; one of the orgs i support is considering ĺexpanding into the US and I need to know these things.
JJJune 21,2022 at 12:09AM UTC
What line of work are you in so we can share great companies that would love to have you and will not change their contracts and commitment at the drop of a hat?
AnonymousJune 21,2022 at 6:59PM UTC
I'm wondering if you have had the conversation with them about being underpaid. If you have done your research, I'd ask to meet with them, present them with your research and request an increase to bring you up to market. Especially now that you are being required to commute (are they requested FT in the office or more of a hybrid schedule?).
AnonymousJune 21,2022 at 9:07PM UTC
I have spoken with them about it multiple times. Unfortunaly the response is that the company is not doing any leveling up or raises at this time. I brought up the added expenses to my manager but I was told there is nothing they can do.
AnonymousJune 21,2022 at 7:00PM UTC
Unless it's a state like California, any such agreement really won't hold much water.
Student Of Knowledge LLCJune 22,2022 at 6:48AM UTC
It is to difficult time.