Mat leave - employer being unreasonable ?

[mummysept22]

My MD didn't really say much when I told him I was pregnant. Not in a bad way just like 'oh ok'.

Today he asked what my plans were. He said they would create a role for me and I would keep part of my role (as CQC registered manager) but that maybe I could be involved with training or recruitment. I am currently Deputy Lead. So I do a bit of everything. I'm just a bit confused what he means by this and it caught me off guard so I didn't push him to explain more. I just said I hadn't thought too much about it yet as I've only just had my 20 week scan. It didn't feel really negative, and he said I'm very valued but I do feel like I am being pushed out of my current role, which I really enjoy!! Annoying thing is the Clinical Lead is leaving, but he doesn't know this yet. I could absolutely do that job (in fact I do a lot of it already!) but I know they won't consider me for that now. I guess I perhaps wouldn't want the extra pressure with a new baby anyway. Not sure really what to think after our conversation that's all!! Any advice or thoughts?

I'll give him a call tomorrow to clarify things.

It’s discrimination. You should definitely apply for the clinical lead job and should be considered fairly along with the other candidates.
How big is the company? Do you have an HR department?

@Candleabra he doesn't know the clinical lead is leaving yet. I'm not sure I could do the job part time anyway as it's a very small company. It's a bummer it's come up at this time!! But im more worried about losing my current role!!! X

You can't lose your current role! Legally if you take up to 6 months leave they have to give you your exact job back. If you take between 6 and 12 months they can offer you an equivalent job in both pay and responsibility if they can't offer you your exact job back.

Please speak with ACAS is if a free service as this is discrimination. If I was you I would call them tomorrow. They can help advise with this and advise how legally wrong it is and how to progress.

Think about what you want now but be prepared for it to change. Are you part time now if not you seem to assume you’ll go part time. You don’t have to. You can do the clinical lead job if you want to apply for it.

Thank you for the advice everyone! I spoke to him again Friday - it's my new thing of facing things head on rather than stewing on them and driving myself insane haha. He was mortified and said 'oh no I'm not trying to do anything weird' haha. I think it was his way of not pressurising me and being supportive haha. In a man way!! He also just wanted to plan which is perfectly reasonable. So it's all good :) I'll see how I feel about the clinical lead role when it happens but on reflection it's probably not the right time for me x