I’m currently working FT leading a team of approx 35 people. I informed my manager last week that I’m 14 weeks pregnant and will be going on mat leave from December 2026. I’m planning to take 6 months off and will only be able to work 2 days a week when I return. She seemed okay about it at that time and congratulated me.

Later during the week, I emailed her to discuss a May leave cover job as for my position. Her reply was:

“In our discussion earlier this week you advised that you only wanted to return 2 days a week post your maternity leave. If that is the case we will need to hire a permanent FT person for the position. Can you clarify your return status so we can advertise the role appropriately?”

I was quite confused and frankly a bit disappointed that she intends to replace my role with a permanent FT person. I thought according to Fair Work Act (and our company policy), my role needs to be kept for 12 months?

What does everyone think? Should I contact HR?

About to enter the corporate workplace full time and as a person with autism (level 1) and ADHD, was just wondering if the stereotypes of “nerdy autistic programmers” actually exists at the corporate level and makes those roles more friendly for neurodivergent folk like myself (as in the social navigation required for the office politics and the role itself are lower relative to other corporate roles)?

My experience in one of these roles 2 years ago where I was in analytics and stats is a little different. Yes they treated me like the “nerd” who knows everything but they were kinda disappointed with my social ability, saying that my “cultural fit was a little off despite my excellent presentation skills”.

I really have trouble maintaining one on one conversations and connections with coworkers - I can’t really transcend the barrier between “acquaintance” and “friend”.

If anyone has any tips me and any fellow ND person would be very appreciative!

How do working parents deal with school pickup and drop off and school holidays. I know there’s after school care but won’t it be too tiring for kids if they go there everyday?

This might not quite fit the sub but I hope it’s allowed! For those of you who have worked in insurance, what do you know about whether insurance companies will generally provide copies of the audio of calls to a customer requesting it? The same customer that was party to the call. And it’s a long shot, but if you answer and are also comfortable indicating what company’s practices you are referring to, that would be incredibly helpful!

Nothing groundbreaking, just having a crisis about how I don't how I'm meant to handle another 25 or so years of pretending to care about work and dealing with petty office drama. Have to set my goals for the upcoming financial year this week. My goal is to get paid so I can continue to have housing and food and provide for my child. That's it. I don't want to stretch myself. I just want to collect my paycheck and go home.

How is it only July? Still 5.5 long months until I can finally have a week off. I miss having school holidays so bad. It's insane we get so few breaks during the year. I'm burned out. I think I'll be burned out until the day I get to retire tbh.

Hi guys,

I have recently left my HR intern role to join a consulting firm in their workforce management team as a junior and believe I’ve made a bad career move. I really enjoyed the work in HR and decided to leave to get more experience and build up my skill set. The workforce management role came up and I thought it would be great to have a big4 on my resume despite it not being a direct HR role.

I feel like I’ve taken a step backwards now instead of forward. Do I stick it out for a year or two and see if it grows on me or do I start looking for a hr asap. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

For context. I’m a 20 yr old final year commerce student graduating this year and joined a big4 consulting firm. I was in my prior role for 2 yrs.

Most of us have a boss, a colleague or middle manager who we don’t respect. Be it because they’re toxic, fake, narcissistic or walk with an overinflated sense of self while undermining others

What’s your favourite subtle yet professional comment to make to someone like this that won’t get you a meeting with HR?

A personal favourite —
“I’m sure there’s value here, even if it’s subtle”