"Should You Inviting Colleagues While on Parental Leave? Survey Results Revealed!"

2020.02.17 published

Consultation from a Pre-Wedding Bride!

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I've been working at the same company since I graduated.

Soon after getting married, I unexpectedly became pregnant. I had severe morning sickness, and due to a doctor’s order, I went on maternity leave earlier than usual.

It has been just over a year, including maternity and parental leave, but I plan to have my wedding right after my return. (I originally wanted to do it during the newlywed period, but I couldn’t because of the pregnancy.)

So here’s my question...

What do you think the feelings of colleagues and bosses who are invited to a wedding right after returning to work from parental leave would be like...??

I would like to invite those who have supported me.

◆ Those who have been invited to the wedding of someone who has been on parental or maternity leave.

◆ Those who have had their wedding soon after returning from leave and invited workplace guests.

◆ Those who had their wedding during parental leave and invited workplace-related people.

◆ Those who have been invited to the wedding of a colleague who was on leave.

Are there quite a few people like this...??

If you are, I would love to hear how it felt and if it wasn’t awkward.

*****

Here are the collected responses!

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 1

This isn’t based on experience, but I personally wouldn't invite them.

At least, inviting my boss feels a bit awkward. I think the boss would participate in that role partly as part of work.

If I were to invite anyone, I'd think it’s fine if it’s a close colleague who would welcome it!!

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 2

About a year ago, I had my wedding while on parental leave, inviting colleagues from work.

I have been working in real estate sales since I graduated. I became pregnant in the latter half of my second year, took maternity and parental leave, and honestly, I think it was a bit early for the company’s timing.

However, those who came still tell me, "It was a perfect timing!"

Since I hadn’t seen them for a long time due to being on leave, I was happy that we could see each other again under the pretext of the wedding.

After my child was born, I also took my child to show to my workplace, so I think the relationships were good.

I believe there are various ways to think about it, but rather because I was on parental leave, I had a wedding that I was very particular about.

If I had been simultaneously preparing for the wedding while working, I think I would have been more likely to delegate tasks to the venue, so I still think having the wedding during parental leave was the best decision.

The company itself doesn’t encourage long-term employment, and there are many who leave for new jobs.

I plan to change jobs soon, but I like this job, so I intend to work a little longer.

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 3

I have been invited to a colleague’s wedding while she was on parental leave.

Honestly, the bride wasn’t that close with the colleagues or the boss, and our workplace didn’t have a culture of inviting workplace members to weddings, so I wondered why I had to attend.

Probably because the groom's workplace has a culture of inviting many colleagues from the company, so I think we were invited in accordance with that...

I’m not saying we aren't friendly and I do congratulate them on their wedding, marriage, and pregnancy, but I wondered why I had to attend the wedding of a member who had been absent for a year on parental leave.

I felt uncomfortable, as though I was obliged to make arrangements for the wedding.

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 4

I had a marriage out of necessity and was hospitalized for about a month due to the risk of premature birth, so I wasn't able to work and went directly into parental leave.

I will take a year of parental leave and return to work in August, but I plan to have my wedding in September, which is one month after my return.

I wanted to invite my colleagues to my wedding, so I consulted with my boss and colleagues!

My boss said, "I think it’s definitely better to prepare during your parental leave! It's hard with childcare, but it’s going to be extremely difficult to manage work and childcare and prepare for the wedding after you return, so this is a good timing!"

So, I would like to have people from the workplace attend 😊 I truly appreciate it.

I have worked here for 4 years since I graduated! The company has good facilities including childcare, so I plan to continue working here 😊

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 5

I don’t think anything of it if a colleague has a wedding while on parental or maternity leave!

On the contrary, I think congratulations! 😍😍❤️❤️ It’s something that can happen to anyone, so I think there’s no problem!

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 6

I am on parental leave, but I am planning to hold a wedding! Of course, my boss and colleagues from work are also expected to come.

When I conveyed that I wanted them to attend the wedding, they responded cheerfully! I felt sorry being on parental leave, but it made me feel relieved 😊

Wedding Right After Maternity Leave [Response] 7

There was a junior colleague who went on parental leave soon after joining the company, and she mentioned that she would not invite workplace guests to her wedding when she returned from parental leave.

From her perspective, since she felt she had caused inconvenience by taking leave soon after joining, she decided to only inform the company of her marriage without inviting anyone to the ceremony.

I work in a workplace with many women and many new graduates coming in, so I’ve seen this kind of situation a few times, so I have to be strict in my thoughts...

Marriage and childbirth are very happy occasions, and I don’t consider them a burden. If I were invited, I would happily participate, but honestly, I do think, "How long have I actually worked? Hasn't the leave been longer?" and some people might think that way, so I think it’s better not to invite.

The true way to give back is not to invite to the wedding but to "work hard after returning" to the company that allowed you to take leave right after joining and to the people around you.

Even if you do not invite someone, if you have celebratory feelings, I think you can celebrate separately.

Previous Relationships and Future Relationships!

If you want to invite your workplace colleagues to your wedding while being on leave.

This is definitely a very tough problem to deal with when you become the main party...!

I believe everyone will be happy to attend, but this issue could completely change the mood depending on past relationships and future relationships, so it might be good to first consult with your husband or family.＊

@nagisa_marry