Employer making life VERY difficult.

[Titslikepicassos]

Supposed to be returning from MAT leave in June, have childcare arranged and as a key worker they will still take my baby - excellent.

Had a team meeting with work this week to discuss going back and have been told that I have to relocate as my partner works on the same site as me - which has been known since I informed them we were in a relationship, however the policy changed in October (before I went on MAT leave). While we are on the same site, our jobs are separate and we are working in different buildings, have different managers and different hours. The different hours means I will need to do drop offs and pick ups to coincide with opening and closing hours.

So during the middle of a pandemic, with child care mostly closed I now have to find a new nursery, lose a significant term time deposit and start the settling in process all over again. Not only that, they have told me to find my own employment within the company - my head is exploding with all of this. AIBU to think this is an unnecessary ball ache!

I appreciate that this is a minor problem given the amount of people losing jobs!

[Palegreenstars]

If you think you are personally being targeted over your partner then it could be worth a call to the pregnant then screwed helpline.

[BakedCam]

I agree @Grappala and that is not unusual. (And yes, the woman being expected to do it, too)

I think there are two elements here. One being the policy was changed and OP wasnt notified and that she is expected to source her own role. What happens in the meantime ? Is her current role redundant? Or have they filled it with the maternity leave cover?

So many questions.

[RandomMess]

Make very clear notes, do you have everything in writing? If not I would send an email to confirm what you have been told. I suggest your partner takes another employee in with him as a note taker.

It seems inappropriate your manager is going into the meeting???

[RandomMess]

How much may leave have you taken? As that impacts on your rights!

[Servers]

Yes that does seem ridiculous, especially with everything going on. What is their rationale for not telling you this before maternity leave?

[Titslikepicassos]

I’ve asked for notes from team meeting as minutes were taken - I’ve been ignored twice.

The role has not been redundant, my Mat cover is someone who was below me and now acting up

[RandomMess]

How many weeks ML will you have taken?

[Titslikepicassos]

I’m taking 6 months and some annual leave

[RandomMess]

They could be digging themselves a very deep hole...

[Titslikepicassos]

@servers they haven’t given one

[Peonyonpoint]

Document EVERYTHING, make it very, very clear you are documenting everything, any conversations you have make sure you are saying 'Great, I am just taking a record of xyz, are you happy to go down in writing that abc is your view?'

You could mention really politely that you were on with your union/the helpline pregnant then screwed etc.

It is much, much easier to get their attitude changed by making them aware that you will be taking legal advice and taking them all the way, and that both you and your DH are a united team in that you both feel he should move rather than you, than to have to actually take them to tribunal later.

[RandomMess]

I think they are on extremely dodgy grounds...

I'm not sure your DP should be willingly attending a meeting without being allowed someone else with him.

6 months you are entitled to your exact own role back I believe!

[Titslikepicassos]

@RandomMess - I don’t know if they’re acting illegally or just being arseholes in order to push me out. I’ve been there 4 years so might seek legal advice from an employment solicitor

[Butterymuffin]

I would email copying in HR to say you are now requesting the meeting notes for the third time.

When will you be able to start using the union?

[Peonyonpoint]

Oh def don't let him attend without someone! And make sure he says 'Oh, I will be bringing Mary/Nigel/Audrey/ in a formal capacity as my witness to the conversation, and will be making copious notes, I'm sure you agree everything we discuss should be formally documented at this point! Will you have someone from HR there or should I organise it?'

Unless it is HR he is having the chat with?

[Titslikepicassos]

Thanks @Peonyonpoint - DP has offered to resign if it comes to down it, he’s also asked for minutes to be taken tomorrow

[Servers]

Definitely seek advice from ACAS or someone, if it's policy then they should treat you both equally, and shouldn't have waited until you were due to return to drop that on you. Hope you manage to sort it OP, sounds very stressful (as if doing back after mat leave isn't stressful enough, let alone at the moment).

[Titslikepicassos]

HR have already been cc’d into my emails requesting minutes. They haven’t been involved at all and won’t be in tomorrow’s meeting either

[YappityYapYap]

I think this is all on very shaky grounds to be honest. If their only issue is that they can't have people who are in a romantic relationship working with the same customers, surely they have to consider moving your partner, not just you? They also can't just tell you to go and find and apply for another job within the company, how utterly ridiculous. They have to offer you back from maternity leave in a similar role with similar pay and on the same contract unless they are considering redundancies or have a really serious reason for needing to amend things for you, which you have to agree to!




It does sound like a pushing out to be honest but don't worry, unions will be all over it

[RandomMess]

I am 99% sure it's illegal you need a poster called @flowery but not sure that is her accurate name!

[TemoraryUsername]

policy says we can be moved if the needs of the organisation needs it - think they’re legally covered by this line so my hands are tied?

It's not an organisational need if they just don't fancy two partners working on the same site! Especially as they clearly cannot prove an organisational need for you elsewhere in the company or a lack of need for you where you are.

Don't people on maternity leave have additional legal employment protections? If definitely be asking ACAS and CRB a bit more about this, swot up your employee handbook and ask some innocent questions to HR cc your manager about how this complies with X law and Y policy statement 🤔

[Titslikepicassos]

You’ve all been brilliant - thank you!

Was in two minds starting a thread as people have it much worse at the moment and I’m not sure if I should just be sucking this up

[RandomMess]

Post in legal section!

[OutOntheTilez]

. . . I think I’m being pushed out but can’t really prove it - the manager I work alongside sent home some of my personal work items home with my partner despite them being left there as I need them there.

Uh, this does not sound good. How soon until you have access to the union's help, OP?

Agree with PP to document, document, document. Everything.

[Thelnebriati]

Are ACAS open?