Is this discrimination??

[myweeangel]

Hi all
I'm DREADING returning to work in a few weeks, even though I love my job as a teacher. Couldn't get nursery place til mid September so I'll be back at work full time when 11 month old DD is settling to nursery. Bit worried about that.
However, wondered if anyone else in this position. Had to give up my lovely new classroom as I was going on maternity leave last year - carpet, big windows etc but most importantly a store FULL of resources I'd been gathering for 10 years. On my return I'm going to an old, dirty classroom (not my main gripe!), and have had to share all my resources with teacher who got my classroom. Feel like I've really lost out as I was hoping to have lots of requisition money for shelves this year (which, ironically, I desperately need for new small classroom!!)
I also think part of my disgruntlement is that I was kept very ill-informed on my year off. We get to submit options for which class we'd like and I didn't receive a form. Also wasn't informed about which class I would be getting and didn't even get invited to end of year dinner hosted by BOG. Got casually asked on day if I was going but by then had no childcare. It was like I didn't exist for a year. Does anyone know what my related entitlements should've been?
Sorry for ranting but I would like someone to put me right so I don't go back to work anxious AND bitter!!!

Hopefully an expert will be along soon, but from my pov, it looks like you've been a bit shabbily treated from the perspective of not being kept informed, but that no one has actually behaved in a way that's wrong.

You say that your child will be 11 months on your return, so clearly you have taken additional maternity leave, rather than statutory. This in itself reduces your rights. Your employer can make you return to a role of the same status and salary, but not necessarily the same job. The only way your actual job is protected is if you return after statutory leave. Therefore they have every right to shift rooms and classes around.

Re: the resources - my understanding is that if this is work that you have prepared using school resources, and in school time (for example, if you've collected/made stuff in your PPA time) then technically that belongs to the school. I don't see the issue about sharing resources anyway - surely that's good practice?

It sounds as though you're a bit anxious about returning, which is understandable as you;ve been off for so long, but I think it would help to get this in perspective.

Thank you violethill, think I needed that.
Re - length of leave, I went back for couple of days so technically was only off for the nine months.
Resources are a mixture of school owned books and visual aids etc but also stuff I made and bought (in own time and at own expense) during teaching practices. I'm sure it's all there somewhere but will take a while to locate and reclaim. Covering teacher has been less than helpful in that respect.
Yes, I think it is just over-anxiety, though. Hopefully, like everyone assures me, it'll feel like I was never away.
Thanks again.