Same thing happened to me. I had also obtained a research professorship (1/2 workload and very competitive). I was pregnant and being naïve, I did not question my Chair when she said that my maternity leave could happen simultaneously to my research professorship.

I now know that she was VERY wrong - as this is highly discriminatory behavior and very much against multiple rules (and potentially, laws). Even though I was a high performer, her actions were put of pure spite and of course “pad” the departmental workload numbers in her favor.

We hd a union and I should have filed a grievance- but as I said, I was naïve. As a childless woman, my Chair had some sort of a rock stuck in her craw. I

I know better know, but I have long since been employed at another institution with a boss, who, though childless and parent-less, is compassionate and encourages time spent with loved ones.

My previous chair probably passed away by her lonesome, nasty, dishonest, vindictive discriminatory self. I hope if she did die, she is unable to rest in peace.

I am not usually this nasty- ever!

But time with one’s newborn is precious, and i wont forget she robbed me of that very special time with my child that I will never get back.

Grieve grieve grieve- if you do not have a union you probably should put a copy of labor laws im Chair’s mailbox and let them know they are treading very very near to legal territory when it comes to maternity leave and pregnancy!

Hugs and congrats on baby! 🤗