Balancing Workload: Should I Manage My Pregnant Colleagues Tasks Without Asking?

A 28-year-old assistant manager at a finance firm thought she was walking into a normal workplace adjustment, then her pregnant colleague, Alex, became the center of a productivity crisis. Everyone is “so happy for her,” but the deadlines do not care about good intentions.

Alex, a top performer who runs critical accounts and major projects, asked for a gradual workload reduction so she could transition smoothly. The problem is upper management did not ask Alex at all. They told OP to quietly take over a big chunk of Alex’s work, keep everything on track, and hit every milestone like nothing changed.

Now OP is stuck wondering if doing the right thing for the firm will feel like a power move to Alex.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) an assistant manager at a finance firm that values productivity above all else. My colleague, let's call her Alex (30F), recently revealed that she's four months pregnant.

Everyone, including myself, is genuinely happy for her, but here's where the issue arises. Alex is a top performer at our firm, handling critical accounts and leading major projects.

With her pregnancy, she requested a gradual reduction in workload to ensure a smooth transition. However, our firm operates in a highly competitive industry, and every project deadline is crucial for our success.

Recognizing Alex's pregnancy, management asked me to step in and manage a significant portion of her workload without consulting her directly. I was tasked with ensuring that her projects stay on track and meet deadlines.

For background, Alex and I have a good working relationship, but she's always been fiercely independent and takes pride in handling her responsibilities. I understand her desire to scale back gradually, but the pressure from upper management to maintain productivity is immense.

On one hand, I want to support Alex during her pregnancy and ensure she doesn't feel overwhelmed. On the other hand, our firm's success heavily depends on meeting project milestones.

AITA if I take on a more significant role in managing Alex's workload without her explicit consent? I fear she may see it as undermining her abilities or not respecting her boundaries.

I genuinely want what's best for Alex and the firm, but navigating this situation feels like walking on a tightrope. So, WIBTA?

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This feels like the assistant who refused to take on her pregnant coworker’s workload while dealing with her own health issues.

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OP is trying to celebrate Alex’s pregnancy while also being the person who has to “hold the line” on critical accounts and deadlines she did not choose.

When management directs OP to manage Alex’s projects directly, the good working relationship suddenly feels like it comes with invisible strings.

Alex has always been fiercely independent, so OP taking over without Alex’s explicit consent could land as undermining, not support.

With Alex four months pregnant and the firm treating every milestone like life or death, OP is stuck balancing boundaries and performance pressure in real time.

What would you do in this situation? Share your opinion in the comments.

OP might be saving the deadlines, but she could still be the reason Alex feels sidelined.

Not sure you’re in the clear? Read what a stressed worker did when they wanted their pregnant coworker to lead alone.