to be worried about my job role when i return from matt leave

[pud1]

i work for a small family business in the sales office. i enjoy my job and get left to my own devices most of the time.
i am starting my mat leave the week after xmas and my boss is not having any joy with job aplicants ( wants loads of sales experiance for shit money . he told me today that he has decided against a women that came for an interview and that his girlfriend is covering me instead. he is also looking to expand the business ( open a shop) and if that takes off she will be doing that when i come back.
as i write this is know it sounds fine but i have heard his big ideas before and i will show my arse if they do open a shop. so i get the feeling that when i come back his missus will be sitting pretty in my job and i am not sure were that leaves me, i know that i am in a strong legal position but cant be arsed with a fight.

you have definately got the upper hand here! the whole point of maternity leave is to allow you to return to the job you left. i wouldnt worry, once he is aware of the legal side of it( which he should be as an employer) then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. do you feel like you can voice your concerns to him, or is he not particularly approachable?

There's nothing much you can do if that is what he has decided. You will have to wait and see what happens. Sadly, a lot of women, myself included, get edged out while on maternity leave and the very best thing you can do is get written assurances about your job while you are still at the company (email your boss something innocuous in which he will have to confirm that you can come back to the same position or some such) and then brandish any evidence if there is difficulty on your return.

It's hard not to worry at this stage but, as someone who was made redundant during her last maternity leave (a very good thing in retrospect ), it's simply not worth losing sleep over. You will have far too much on your hands caring for and enjoying your new baby to give the office much thought once you are away from it and, hopefully, your boss will realise what a treasure he had in you and welcome you back with open arms. If not, as you say, you are in a very strong position.

Yep I was also pushed out whilst on maternity leave sadly there is not much you can do about it unless you want to take it to tribunal which I've heard often doesn't rule in the employees favour.

Anyway don't worry it will all work out. I took the time to be a mummy and then found a much better job.

I'm taking my employer to a tribunal in the new year, if he doesn't settle first. Again, I worked for a small family business and was demoted in favour of my male maternity cover.

It's easy for me, as luckily legal expenses were covered by our household insurance, so if you haven't got cover for that it might be worth buying it just in case. I've got a lawyor from a very good firm taking my case and it's only costing me £50.

Your employer won't want the hassle I'm sure, and the law is on your side. It's shameful how many companies do this to women. Keep a document of everything and try to get him to clarify as much in writing as possible.