Returning from maternity leave

[magma32]

Hello, not sure if I’m posting in the right section -there was a return to work section but that has disappeared.

anyway the company I work for has been bought by a bigger company, there will be some changes but nobody knows enough yet. I go on maternity leave in a few months. What rights do I have in terms of my working hours, as long as the hours are available, can they change these due to restructuring or do they need to ensure my hours are kept the same as per my contract. I also have a timetable, can they change my start hours even if my original start time is still available to work? I hope this makes sense. I’m quite nervous and just want to make sure they don’t make my hours unworkable for me.

My timetable is not in my contract but I’m wondering if they can make me start earlier which will get in the way of my current and future child care arrangements

Assuming that you will be in a TUPE situation, in which case you're contracted terms will be retained. Anything not in your contract is not guaranteed.

With TUPE they can change your contracted terms but only under specific circumstances.

www.acas.org.uk/employee-rights-during-a-tupe-transfer

If the company has been bought this is not a TUPE situation. It would be if the larger company had only taken over part of the OP's company, but not if they have bought the entire company.

Your rights are unaffected by the takeover. They can only change your contract with your consent. If you do not consent to a change they can make you redundant, but that could give you a case for unfair dismissal.