Bit of an ethical dilemma hoping for help with.
I had a managerial role in my company, but last year decided to step back a grade as i couldn't manage childcare/ elderly parent commitments and wanted to reduce my hours. So i went into a lower grade, and a colleague (who'd covered both my mat leaves) stepped up. My wage went down. I've missed the money but had a much better, less stressful year. Last month my boss asked me to go back into my old role (being more flexible with hours, though still more than I'm on now). My colleague has had quite a bit of time off sick which my boss feels is not genuine, but i have no evidence of this. My boss also says the quality of work has gone down, but again, no idea where she's got that from as nothing i see suggests that.
I've said that i dont feel it's my job to take back - but my boss states that my colleague acting up was only a temporary arrangement (not what i or my colleague understood at the time).
I would like the extra money, and potentially the job back, but feel I'm being complicit in bullying my colleague if i accept it. I've suggested a job share which would allow me to keep my hours reduced and her to also keep her role, but boss isnt keen. I don't want to piss my boss off by appearing ungrateful or uncooperative.
WWYD?