Competitive interviews while on Mat leave?

[nymphadora]

My job is beingerged with two others and there will be about 50% of the current number of posts.

HR are talking natural wastage then voluntary redundancy then competitive interview to decide the rest. This is likely to be Feb/March with new posts in place from 1 April and I go on to additional mat leave 29 march.

First question is how protected am I being on Mat leave?
Second is do I have to right to state a preference as the other staff do? My understanding is they will apply/interview for specific teams . If I don't have to apply do I lose the right to state a preference?

[nymphadora]

Sorry first sentence should say 'being merged'

[hairyfairylights]

You have some protection.

DWP site

I checked this out when I was pregnant as there are some changes coming up for us.

Five posts, which will possibly be reduced to four. I was informed that I had the right to be offered one of the four posts, if I was capable of the post but that it could include lesser terms.

"If you are made redundant whilst on Statutory Maternity Leave then you have special rights. You have the right to be offered any suitable alternative job in the company. This is even if there are other employees that might be more suitable for the job. If you are offered a new job, you are still entitled to the four-week trial period, which should start when you return from Statutory Maternity Leave.

If you are made redundant or dismissed during your Statutory Maternity Leave your employer must give you a written statement explaining the reasons for their decision. You should receive your normal notice period or pay in lieu of notice and redundancy pay, if you are entitled to receive them"

[hairyfairylights]

and you have no right to state a preference anyway, AFAIK.

[nymphadora]

I'm a bit concerned re dates.

[hairyfairylights]

ah, I see.

but if the posts are 'in place' on 1st April, the recruitment will be happening prior to the start of your additional maternity leave on 29th March, you will still be on statutory ordinary maternity leave at that point so the rules will apply regarding your right to be offered a post?

[nymphadora]

That's what Im hoping. Want to be armed when I speak to HR!

Will they be able to just allocate me to a team then? What about location?

If I am based in X currently cover X&Y but reorganisation means X will be with Z instead, can they move me?

[hairyfairylights]

Have a good look at the DWP site and do some googling around the info - it's fairly complex but I think the crux of the matter is it has to be 'reasonable'.

If you are in the redundancy pool, they will have to offer you a post, if there is one going. so in effect, yes, allocating you to a team (or perhaps a choice of teams, if they are able to , and are being nice about it).

I'm guessing an employer could count a different post at a different location as 'reasonable' opposed to no job! (as long as it wasn't miles and miles away).

[nymphadora]

Thanks. Union not a lot of help at the moment as they are also restructuring whole council & pay structure so v busy

[hairyfairylights]

Good luck. If it's a county council, i'd say that in general their sites will all be within local travelling distance.

[nymphadora]

We are a huge county with poor travel links. Can be at least 3 hours one end to other on main roads and places in between have crap roads so travel isn't as easy as it could be !

[nymphadora]

Any more advice before I speakto union/HR?