I see on my team meeting agenda for later this week that my boss is telling us next year we’ll be expected in office two days a week, we’re currently required once per week. I realize this could be worse. But I gave up a fully wfh job for this. I truly don’t mind the one day in office. I really enjoy my organization and my job.. But my job involves event planning. I’m often in the office on off days to organize things I need for events, or unpack from past events, or to print, etc. I’m also out of my home for donor meetings and site visits too, neither of which I mind at all over being forced to sit in my uncomfortable office chair and open office. So basically if I have an event planned on a non-office day, I’ll be three days in office. I suppose I could try and coordinate prep on in-office days, but events always have details changing at the last minute. That’s not going away no matter how much I can plan in advance.
I’m also just too introverted for this. I’m going to be exhausted. My role is also external facing as a fundraiser. I sincerely do like what I do, but it’s draining for me to be talking with donors all day. I don’t need more stimulation.. I like what I do when I do it from home. I don’t get work done in the office as efficiently. I can lay on the floor or whatever after a donor call or like idk make weird noises to blow off steam. I can hug my dogs when I’m stressed..
I’m also six weeks pregnant. The idea of growing large and trying to be comfortable in an office sounds absolutely dreadful. Also all those additional maternity outfits I’ll need to purchase.. catch me wearing garbage bags into the office because don’t take my wfh day away from me.
It can always be worse. But I’m working for a nonprofit salary in NYC with a Masters degree. It can also be much, much better.
It’s reasonable that I don’t come back from mat leave and be a SAHP. It’ll be tight on money. My husband makes very good money, but again, nyc. He’s due for a promotion in the next year or so and once he gets that we’ll be golden. Idk. I’m just salty. Like there’s no reason whatsoever to call us back an extra day when so much of our work (we all do events) demands odd hours. But I’ll be totally honest that I’d have have no qualms about going back to the office one day a week after my abysmal US mat leave. And that makes me MAD that mentally I was OK with the idea of returning to work with baby at one day in office a week, but at two it feels implausible. But like, idk now I’m just pissed, weepy (thx pregnancy hormones), feel blindsided and want to rant before I go cry into my pillow while I try not to vom.
Thanks for coming to my pity party.. just. needed. to rant..
ETA: all these emotions from just seeing this on an upcoming meeting agenda—could totally be that it’s up for debate or my boss can push back. Again, pregnancy hormones!