Question for parents and/or HR people: My coworker is on maternity leave, and wants to talk to the job about coming back 80% time, and also not going on a planned business trip in May (she would just be back from leave, and breastfeeding a 3 month old). Should she talk to her boss or HR first? HR will be more sympathetic, since she has kids and other family obligations, unlike our boss.

If HR is likely to be more sympathetic & flexible, I'd talk to them first and get a clear written plan she can present to the boss. (Saying something like "I made sure to run this by HR first to make sure it was in line with our company leave policy" - blah blah kissbuttcakes.)

ION, today is the first day of my new/old job! My department was dismantled and sold for parts on Friday so I'm sitting here with my shiny new title at my old desk doing JACK SHIT because nobody in sales was ever trained on how to contact ops from the new company. I look forward to a full day of playing Freecell and updating Twitter with scintillating descriptions of how bored I am.

My HR office always had the last word about my post-pregnancy schedule, so I'd tell her to go there, first.

Thanks, y'all. I think it's weird because we're so small, but I will tell her to go ahead with HR!

FWIW, I wish I had Jessica's day.

I have managed to push off four issues to someone else, and plow through the stuff waiting for me from Friday. Now to tackle the unopened mail and the other stack of things with issues.

ION, I ran the numbers and paying someone to pick mac up and keep him at our home until I can get there will cost me the same as his afterschool. I am going to cut back the mother's helpers who are currently coming in every evening to just one evening and will end up with a net savings if all works out. Of course it means I have no help getting household chores and dinner done each night while trying to give mac attention also, but hopefully him having 3 hours of one-on-one attention from someone will balance it out a bit.

Oh Barb, apparently NBC cut it off before it got worse. It got much worse. There was...shudder...Nickelback.

Oh, as they say... dear.

I am losing my voice. I don't have any other cold symptoms, and I barely spoke at all yesterday. I don't know where this is coming from.

I'm very happy to see Annalee saw the hinky with Fast Eddie. It's much better when people come to it on their own and don't need to be taken there.

Good luck with all that, msbelle. Nice to hear the numbers worked out the way they did, at least, even if it's not ideal.

ah nice, co-workers are picking up lunch for me so I can stay and work.

- an expense report turned in
- halfway through spreadsheet update for finance dept.
- calendar updated for employee
- 3 visitors taken care of