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Original poster

Returning from maternity leave and being asked to change roles

33 replies

Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 09:16

Hi everyone,

I've posted on here previously regarding my job and position, so abit of an update. I'm sadly coming to the end of my maternity leave. I've had over 9 months now so I'm on extended leave. A permanent, full time new hire replaced me during the course of my maternity. Now there is nowhere for me to go. I've been told my role will need to change. It's being sold as a promotion, but I don't know if it is? It involves moving to another office, where I don't know anyone. I'm nervous. Nervous about the role, people and leaving my baby. It's hard enough returning to work. Will a new role/contract leave me in a vulnerable position if redundancies were made? As technically I would be in a new contract.

Any advice? Thank you in advance!

OP posts:
Blueberryme · 12/04/2026 09:19

You need to ring ACAS for advice now.

PersephoneParlormaid · 12/04/2026 09:20

Have they asked you to sign a new contract, or will you be carrying on with the old one?

StrictlyCoffee · 12/04/2026 09:21

Contact pregnant then screwed

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Families
RoniaCheetah · 12/04/2026 09:26

Definitely get advice from ACAS etc.

But moving to a new, internal role doesn't disrupt your continuous service.
They can offer you a promotion but you do have a right to your old role, as long as it still exists (which it does).

Besidemyselfwithworry · 12/04/2026 09:29

I would phone ACAS and your trade union if you are a member of one. Sorry you’re in this position it is a big thing returning to work and some stability and familiarity would help.

hahabahbag · 12/04/2026 09:31

The rules if you choose extended leave are different to if you only take statutory leave (26 weeks)

If it is "not reasonably practicable" to return to your old job (e.g., redundancy or significant restructuring), your employer must offer you a suitable, appropriate alternative role. If your role has changed, they cannot disadvantage you simply to keep your maternity cover in the role.

user954309886 · 12/04/2026 09:32

This happened to me, I just went along with it. It was a huge mistake. As above, take advice and work out where to go next

hahabahbag · 12/04/2026 09:32

Rules are stated clearly on the ACAS website.

Inthenameoflove · 12/04/2026 09:36

Contact pregnant then screwed charity for advice. My first thought is that your continuous employment date needs to be properly in your new contract. I don’t know whether/how much they can change after extended leave. But get good advice. Now is the time to negotiate.

Hansolemio · 12/04/2026 09:36

hahabahbag · 12/04/2026 09:31

The rules if you choose extended leave are different to if you only take statutory leave (26 weeks)

If it is "not reasonably practicable" to return to your old job (e.g., redundancy or significant restructuring), your employer must offer you a suitable, appropriate alternative role. If your role has changed, they cannot disadvantage you simply to keep your maternity cover in the role.

This.

Megifer · 12/04/2026 09:39

Your role still exists, and you'd still be in it if it wasn't for your maternity status, therefore it is reasonably practicable for you to return to that role even if you have had extended maternity leave. So they should not move you.

Try ACAS although their advice can be hit and miss. Id contact Pregnant then Screwed as pp's have suggested.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 12/04/2026 09:42

If you have taken more than 26 weeks, they can offer an alternative job but it must be in the same location. Other conditions as listed by ACAS should be the same. I took a job in a different location because I was offered, and wanted, part time. Same grade of seniority and I was lucky to get part time on my grade. No one else was. Would you look at the new job more favourably if there were better working hours? Could you negotiate this if you worry about leaving your baby?

Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:22

PersephoneParlormaid · 12/04/2026 09:20

Have they asked you to sign a new contract, or will you be carrying on with the old one?

They haven't yet. How I left the last meeting was they would speak to other staff members and then get details, contract to me. I would make sure that continued service was included in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:23

RoniaCheetah · 12/04/2026 09:26

Definitely get advice from ACAS etc.

But moving to a new, internal role doesn't disrupt your continuous service.
They can offer you a promotion but you do have a right to your old role, as long as it still exists (which it does).

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it's really tricky situation. I'm part time, and have always been. The new person is full time, so they're saying it's better to have a full time person in that role. Will definitely speak to Acas

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:26

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 12/04/2026 09:42

If you have taken more than 26 weeks, they can offer an alternative job but it must be in the same location. Other conditions as listed by ACAS should be the same. I took a job in a different location because I was offered, and wanted, part time. Same grade of seniority and I was lucky to get part time on my grade. No one else was. Would you look at the new job more favourably if there were better working hours? Could you negotiate this if you worry about leaving your baby?

I have taken longer than 26 weeks now, it's flown though!! Will definitely have a look at the Acas website. I have been researching rules and regulations. Good to hear it worked out for you ☺️ Gives me hope too. I have always been part time, so said I would return to the same days as I previously worked.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:27

Megifer · 12/04/2026 09:39

Your role still exists, and you'd still be in it if it wasn't for your maternity status, therefore it is reasonably practicable for you to return to that role even if you have had extended maternity leave. So they should not move you.

Try ACAS although their advice can be hit and miss. Id contact Pregnant then Screwed as pp's have suggested.

Thank you for your reply. Not heard of Pregnant and Screwed before posting, so will look it up ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:29

Inthenameoflove · 12/04/2026 09:36

Contact pregnant then screwed charity for advice. My first thought is that your continuous employment date needs to be properly in your new contract. I don’t know whether/how much they can change after extended leave. But get good advice. Now is the time to negotiate.

Edited

Thank you. I definitely won't be jumping to sign anything. I'll make sure to look at the website too 🙂

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 12/04/2026 10:29

@RoniaCheetah After 6 months they have the right to return to the sane job “unless the employer has a genuine reason why this is not possible”. ACAS wording. The genuine reason they will say is that work requirements have now determined the job is full time. They could have employed a second part time person with op of course, but after 6 months they didn’t have to. So if the new job is part time, that’s the alternative role the law demands. However it should be in the same location. I’d also want a pay rise if it’s promotion!

Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:30

user954309886 · 12/04/2026 09:32

This happened to me, I just went along with it. It was a huge mistake. As above, take advice and work out where to go next

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you're OK now. It's such a worry when returning to work anyway. What happened can I ask?

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:31

hahabahbag · 12/04/2026 09:31

The rules if you choose extended leave are different to if you only take statutory leave (26 weeks)

If it is "not reasonably practicable" to return to your old job (e.g., redundancy or significant restructuring), your employer must offer you a suitable, appropriate alternative role. If your role has changed, they cannot disadvantage you simply to keep your maternity cover in the role.

Thanks for your reply. They're saying it's not reasonably practical which is where the problem lies. As the new hire is full time and I'm part time, they are saying it makes sense to move me and not them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 10:32

Besidemyselfwithworry · 12/04/2026 09:29

I would phone ACAS and your trade union if you are a member of one. Sorry you’re in this position it is a big thing returning to work and some stability and familiarity would help.

Thank you ☺️ I'm really sad to be spending my last month of maternity leave worrying about it all. Hopefully it'll work out, but who knows?!?

OP posts:
Megifer · 12/04/2026 10:33

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 12/04/2026 10:29

@RoniaCheetah After 6 months they have the right to return to the sane job “unless the employer has a genuine reason why this is not possible”. ACAS wording. The genuine reason they will say is that work requirements have now determined the job is full time. They could have employed a second part time person with op of course, but after 6 months they didn’t have to. So if the new job is part time, that’s the alternative role the law demands. However it should be in the same location. I’d also want a pay rise if it’s promotion!

Edited

In that case they should have consulted op if the role requirements had changed to require FT hours.

The bar is actually very high for what "reasonably practicable" means. Someone now in the role FT, without consulting with op, is extremely unlikely to be considered reasonable. A lot of employers do this and get away with it though as they either dont know the law themselves or they just hope the woman accepts it. Which is often the case

ineededanewnameitsbeentoolong · 12/04/2026 10:48

As you’ve taken more than (roughly) 6 months, your employer is under no obligation to offer you the same role you had before. They have to offer you a role that is equivalent to your old role, and they are doing that.
Depending on your position and industry, roles can very easily change completely in 9 months.
I would be careful as well - if dig your heels in (you might win, but it is by no means guaranteed), they’ll likely do the same when it comes to flexibility on their side for child illness etc. )
Both sides need to be flexible!

Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 12/04/2026 12:09

ineededanewnameitsbeentoolong · 12/04/2026 10:48

As you’ve taken more than (roughly) 6 months, your employer is under no obligation to offer you the same role you had before. They have to offer you a role that is equivalent to your old role, and they are doing that.
Depending on your position and industry, roles can very easily change completely in 9 months.
I would be careful as well - if dig your heels in (you might win, but it is by no means guaranteed), they’ll likely do the same when it comes to flexibility on their side for child illness etc. )
Both sides need to be flexible!

Yes, I'm pretty much at their mercy. I have said I'm happy to fit in with what's needed but I'm cautious and have been in a toxic environment before. I don't want history to repeat itself and feel very much like this worry is the cost of motherhood.

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 12/04/2026 13:13

ineededanewnameitsbeentoolong · 12/04/2026 10:48

As you’ve taken more than (roughly) 6 months, your employer is under no obligation to offer you the same role you had before. They have to offer you a role that is equivalent to your old role, and they are doing that.
Depending on your position and industry, roles can very easily change completely in 9 months.
I would be careful as well - if dig your heels in (you might win, but it is by no means guaranteed), they’ll likely do the same when it comes to flexibility on their side for child illness etc. )
Both sides need to be flexible!

This is not quite right

The OP is entitled to return to the job she left unless it is not reasonably practicable for her to do so.

If someone else is doing the job, it seems
it IS practicable for her to return to it, and the maternity cover should be let go.

Take some proper advice OP. ACAS are shit but pregnant then screwed are meant to be good.