2 weeks after my twins were born my manager texted me to say a voluntary exit scheme had opened at work and if I wanted to apply I had one week to do so.
I was recovering from a c-section and my DH had just returned to work so I was struggling to figure out to look after two newborns alone - I didn’t have time to even think about it and at that point I had no reason to think I wouldn’t be returning to the same role after my mat leave.
Several months down the line he’s contacted me again to make me aware of changes to my role. Essentially my role is the same except 50% of another role has been added onto my role (so a hugely increased workload) and the size of the team has reduced. The role is the same payband so no changes to T&Cs. I know this is going to make the role incredibly stressful and the workload is completely unrealistic. Since the role is being merged with another role (the other person’s role is being split across a few teams) I was told I’d need to go through a preference exercise for this role and some other random roles which have become available due to the post holders taking voluntary exit at the same payband.
With all this new info I’d prefer to take voluntary exit but my manager said this isn’t an option anymore as the scheme closed months ago.
AIBU to think I should still be given the opportunity to take voluntary exit since I didn’t have the full picture when it was offered? And that 1 week wasn’t a reasonable timeframe for me to apply when I was informed 2 weeks after giving birth?
AIBU to think I should be entitled to my old role since this new role encompasses all my old responsibilities (albeit with a number of new, additional ones) and is still the same payband?
Is anyone able to tell me my rights and options in this situation please?