To be annoyed not to be informed about vacancies whilst on mat leave

[FTM1993]

I'm currently on mat leave, returning in October. I plan to return part-time but haven't placed a formal flexible working request just yet. Whilst I've been off there seems to have been a massive restructuring at work, several senior people have been made redundant and vacancies created. I wasn't told about any of this until afterwards. I think my manager has assumed I don't want to know about things like this as I have not asked for any KIT days and have taken the maximum time off. I do keep in touch with some of the girls from work but we tend to avoid the subject of work. One of the girls texted me today to say she's gone for a manger role today and got the job. Am I being unreasonable for feeling a bit miffed not to have even been told about any of this? I thought employers had to keep you informed about stuff like this? It's not that I would have necessarily gone for the job but not even to have been told about it makes me feel quite out of the loop :(

It’s not the 1990s any more

Were you asked for your email (personal) to forward these on to?
Did you offer your email to have these sent to?

Funnily enough HR usually hold contact details for employees …

HR should be checking contact details are up to date before the employee starts maternity leave. All it needs is a line in the formal confirmation of maternity leave and dates.

It’s also shockingly easy to copy and paste a page from the intranet, or email bulletin and send it to staff on maternity leave. Takes all of 2 minutes. Basic stuff.

Yes, and that could have been asked "do we have an email for you, is that up to date"

Agree, people shouldn't be posting their ill informed opinions on threads like these when there's actual law in place that says otherwise.

Exactly.

Failing that though, most people have mobiles. Home addresses to write to. We aren’t incommunicado if there’s no email address.

It’s not just for job vacancies. Restructures. Consultations. Redundancies and at risk notifications. Health and Safety. Lone working if staff work from home. Travel between sites, or offices. Travel into cities (I’ve had to contact staff more than once following serious events in London). Snow tree.

Like I said. Basic stuff to have contact details, and there are many GDPR compliant ways of getting them if for some reason contact fails.

OP I don’t feel HR have done enough to fix this. I would put a formal grievance in.

What will they be doing to redress the lost opportunity specifically? “oops silly me, we will do better next time” does nothing to redress the lost opportunity or to give any confidence that it won’t happen again, especially if the only penalty has been paid by you.

Ask them what process will be put in places to ensure the next woman on leave does not miss out (suggest one if you are in a position to so do).

It's a bit shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted isn't it.

Are you pissed off about missing out on one of the roles?

I would put in a meeting for a pay and role review on your return.

OP, you are right to hold HR to account. This would have raised their awareness and allows them to update their processes for women on maternity leave going forward.