Mummy Musings

Workplace worries May 6, 2010

I started back at work after maternity leave on 6th April and its not bad but its not going great either.  I work in an office full of men.  The only other woman there is the receptionist.  I don’t mind this, I’ve always had men friends and get on with them all ok, but since returning to work I just don’t feel like I’m being treated equally due to now being a ‘part-timer’. 

While I was off work, I took and passed my final accountancy exam.  Now, if this had happened while I was in work I would have immediately been given a payrise.  I was paid last Friday and am I now rich?  No, I now get 3/5 of what I did before.  Lucky me, eh?  I haven’t brought this up as 1) I hate confrontation and 2) I’m not actually sure I do anything more to justify a payrise, other than now having letters after my name.

Its not all about the money though.  In the last 2 weeks I’ve done a whopping 2 actual accountancy jobs and the rest of my time has been spent doing things that a junior could do and to be honest its very demotivating. 

I’m undecided what I should do really.  I like the people I work with, its only a 15 minute drive from home and they’re really flexible, but surely I deserve more?  8 years of studying, 8 years accountancy experience to be treated as though I’ve just started out?  On the other hand, whats the chances of me finding another job, less than an hours commute, with a half decent salary, that’ll let me work part-time? 

I think I’ll give it to the end of the year then review things again.  In the meantime I’ll just have to work my arse off trying to prove a point!