Maternity leave

[emc627]

I transferred employment (not by choice) from one organisation to another in October 2021.

I was given the option in January 2023 to voluntarily transfer from my substantive protected transfer pay and terms and conditions to the new organisation's pay terms and conditions.

I chose to remain on my existing terms and conditions based on the information that was provided to me, including a FAQ document highlighting the key differences between the 2 terms and conditions. I chose to remain on my existing terms and conditions due to the maternity leave entitlement.

I am expecting my first baby in February 2024 and have recently been informed by my employer that my maternity leave entitlement has changed over to the new employer's terms and conditions without my consultation.

I have raised a formal grievance with my employer which is currently being looked into but no resolution has been offered as of yet. It is now becoming very urgent as I have no idea what maternity leave I will be paid & how long I can afford to be off of work.

I have written to my local MP and I have also contacted ACAS for support.

Has anybody else experienced anything like this?

What support did you find helpful?

All advice very welcome! Thank you.

OP that sounds really stressful. I had some very good advice from Pregnant than Screwed in a previous pregnancy (related to workplace discrimination/changes in contract). They had legal advisors and helped me write/respond to meetings and letters and feel more confident negotiating my position.
While I ended up being heard, the process was exhausting. So my advice is to take care of yourself. In hindsight - while I was right, the process of “fighting” wasn’t necessarily worth the “win” for me (financially yes, but it took so much time and attention that other things I’d have liked to have focused on that could have progressed my career - took a back step. In retrospect I think if I’d been less stressed - maybe I could have managed both).

Hope you’re ok x