Mat leave and missed promotion

[Nosurpr1ses]

I have worked for my employer (large privately owned organisation) 6 years. I’ve been waiting for a promotion for 1 year but these were all on hold due to financial position of the company. My manager has said I’m ready for promotion, scored highest marks on latest appraisal etc.

Just before I went on mat leave there was a rumour positions at the next level to me would be opening up soon. I explicitly gave my line manager my personal number and asked her to text when these came up so I could apply which she said she would do.

I had to access my work email yesterday to get some gift vouchers that they had sent for new DC’s arrival. I saw that 10 days ago an email was sent to the department with the internal vacancies, one is for the more senior position not just within my department but within my actual small team of 6!! I know my manager is working as I saw her last week when I met some work friends for lunch. Not a single person mentioned it to me then either.

I’m really angry that no one has mentioned this to me as I might have missed the boat to apply. Were they obligated to do this? And how would you word an email to them and the department lead asking why I didn’t get told?

I wanted to check if anyone has direct experience of this and how to word an email to the department head. It’s not the first time questions have been raised around my treatment whilst pregnant but she’s been good at listening and upskilling managers on those.

Apply, and email HR to say you've only just seen the email and you weren't informed.

Simply email saying I have only just learned when logging into email of the vacancy. I will be applying and am surprised that noone contacted me to notify me of the position in the manner I asked to be used to keep in touch with me in accordance with the ACAS guidelines. Perhaps a specific note could be made to ensure any similar things that should be brought to my attention by contacting me in the following manner ... (set out personal email and phone nunber).

It's polite, to the point and lays down a marker should you need to complain more formally if they won't consider your application (or you believe you are sidelined due to maternity and wish to make a claim later).

How about something like,

"Hi Jane, hope all well with you.

I wanted to check the process on something as I think it might have broken down here. As you know I'm keen to apply for the coming round of promotions, and luckily o logged on for other reasons this week and saw they'd been advertised internally. I was a little surprised as I understood that staff who were on parental or similar leave would be contacted about these kinds of opportunities to ensure a level playing field - do you know what the process is for this happening as it seems to have gone a bit wrong this time. No harm done as I happened to see this anyway, but if there are gaps in the system it will be good to fix them."

Or similar?

Are you familiar with employment law and the Equality Act?

Yes they should have told you
https://parissmith.co.uk/blog/keeping-in-touch-with-employee-on-maternity-leave/

If you read the full thread, you'll see that I have acknowledged being schooled.