AIBU to feel uncomfortable about work not getting maternity cover?

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I current work full time, but going on maternity leave in June, plan to take 9 months off on SMP. My manager has said they are not looking at getting maternity cover as no one will be interested, so will instead be looking at taking on a new employee part time (new employee is a friend of manager and assistant manager). They have said this is a good thing because I may have the opportunity to come back part time as opposed to full time after my maternity leave if I wish to do so.

Im not even sure why I feel like this, but I'm feeling a little uncomfortable about the situation. We have 4 of us full time in the office at the moment, 5 would be too much. I'm worried that when I come back they will offer me a different position in another office (next one is 15 miles away) as a way of pushing me out. There's also a lot of whispering, arranging meetings in private and away from the office. I just feel really uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Please tell me I'm just being a silly, emotional and paranoid pregnant woman 🫣😂. My emotions are all over the place and I realise I am being unreasonable at times!

I don't think you're being paranoid and i would feel the same in your position. but remember they have to offer you a role on no less favourable terms else its maternity discrimination so you have a right to argue once you return.

Are you wanting to return part time? Or were you looking to return full time?

@Bells3032 Thanks for responding! I've been looking online and it might be that I have read the wrong terms. It looks like it you go back to work after 24 weeks they have to offer me the exact same position, but if I return at the later date then they have to offer me a job but it doesn't have to be the exact same job role and location as before.

Im also really unsure about if I will want to come back part time or not so haven't really said anything. I want to see how I feel once baby arrives. With my son I was happy to get back into the swing of things full time as felt like I lost my identity being at home. Me and my partner have spoken about the possibility of 3 days a week if work can offer it, but I haven't set my mind on anything yet as want to see how I feel x

Thankfully you have the law on your side. It may be worth calling Pregnant Then Screwed to talk it over and get advice on the legalities.

Your employer has to be prepared for you to take the full 12m you are entitled to, even if you say now you will return in 9m. But I can see why this may make you feel pressure about what the situation may look like when you return.

For now I'd put it to them that you intend to return to exactly what you were doing before. This is what they have to work with. Then you can notify them later if that changes.

yes they can change your job role but they cannot make it "less favourable. See ACAS here: www.acas.org.uk/your-maternity-leave-pay-and-other-rights/returning-to-work-after-having-a-baby

More than 26 weeks' maternity leave is called 'additional maternity leave' under the law.

If you use additional maternity leave, you still have the right to return to your job on the same terms as before you left. But if it's not possible because there have been significant changes to the organisation, you could be offered a similar job.
In this case, the job cannot be on worse terms than before. For example, the following must be the same:

• pay
• benefits
• holiday entitlement
• seniority
• where the job is

IE they cannot just hire someone else and move you to a different office. If it's possible to move you back into your role they have to do so even after 26 weeks

@Bells3032 @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Thanks so much both for your responses. That certainly makes me feel more at ease. I don't even know why I'm so bothered about it, my hormones are just everywhere 😣really appreciate you both taking the time to respond x

It's totally unreasonable of them to assume you'll want to come back part time and start planning for that of their own backs!

I'd make sure it's somewhere in writing that you intend to come back to your usual hours (if that's the case)

You could also contact the Pregnant then Screwed helpline for advice....it does seem a bit iffy. Sorry OP

I'd put this in writing now. Something to say that following on from your conversation, you want to make sure that they understand your current intentions of returning full time to your current role, as per UK law. Also include that clearly no one can predict the future, but you're making sure your current situation is correctly understood.

If you have an HR dept, include them in the email.

Stop blaming your hormones. You're right, and they are wrong, of course that makes you emotional.

Agree. Put it in writing. And join a union (you don't have to tell them you're doing that). Good luck

This issue aside

I will take a punt that you don’t enjoy your job and don’t get on with your manager and a number of colleagues?

I think it would be useful for your peace of mind to make sure you are up to speed on the legalities, by reading up or contacting somebody as suggested. But otherwise I think you should try not to worry too much, it is your managers’s prerogative to decide how to cover your leave and if you want to return full time you can return full time.

I have seen so many posts on here written by women that want to go part time after maternity leave, you have even said you are considering it yourself, of course your employer cannot assume this, but I don’t think it was unreasonable of them to let you know that it could be an option if you want it.

@Vegrocks it's actually the complete opposite. I work in an office with the nicest people you could ever meet. Love them all to bits. I think that's why I'm so worried about not being able to return to the same office/job role as before.

And yet on this thread you’re talking about lots of whispering behind your back

and on another thread you’re upset about the inappropriate comments a colleague is making to you

And this is out of a very small team!

* There's also a lot of whispering, arranging meetings in private and away from the office. I just feel really uncomfortable about the whole thing.*

doeent sound like they love you to bits OP

and your male colleague? Shudder

@Aprilx Yes you're right, after a read up and the assistance of the two other OP it's given me much more confidence.

I have the nicest manager whom I'm lucky to have, and very grateful that he is trying to organise something so if I do decide to come back part time then I can. However my manager isn't the company owner who makes the overall decisions (but I'm sure can certainly influence). The small office I work in is pretty great (some teething issues but nothing awful), my colleagues are lovely. But the company itself has made some pretty cut throat decisions in the past which I think is contributing to my worry.

I've had to reflect upon today and just think "what will be will be". My pregnant mind is racing at 100 miles an hour! X

@Vegrocks Oh that male colleague from my other thread isn't in my team. He's the teething issue as described above. And yes, he is truly awful, but I'm not directly working alongside him and keep him at arms length.

And what about the whispering and private meetings you mention? I have to say that the environment sounds unpleasant

@Vegrocks Yes that still has made me feel uncomfortable. Without outing myself, I work in a very cut throat and male dominated sales role, so I think my idea of a nice workplace might be a little warped (in comparison to another company I worked for, same job) x

Why are you dressed like that? You're pregnant? Get a bra that fits, your tts are everywhere and your skirt looks ridiculous. Maybe you should just remain office based for the time being".*

sp your colleague said this to you. Buy you didn’t report because you were worried the company wouldn’t do anything or the consequences for you.
Op your work sounds toxic and it’s shocking you think otherwise

@Vegrocks If it wasn't for the small team I work with currently I wouldn't be working for that company anymore. But the money, hours and the 3 people i directly work with are honestly lovely. X

Will just have to take your work for it as this thread and your other definitely presents a different picture!

Unless your job description is exactly the same as when you started/ or eexactly the same as other roles within the company, it maybe worth getting your JD updated and agreed in writing with your manager. Particularly if you have developed the role and taken on different/more interesting/more responsibilities. Otherwise, they may saythey have to offer you the equivalent level of job to your official grade or job title, rather than what you had worked up to.