Silly question but.............

[Evs09]

Just started back to work last week after having 18months off work. 6 months on ill health and 12 months maternity leave. Just before my return to work my boss informed me that my position is no longer available and so offered me a similar grade job but in a differnt location. I know its only been a week back in work but am finding the extra travelling/ hours etc just too much for me at the moment.I am seriously thinking of my health and looking for a part time lower stress job but realise that my pay will drop one hell of a lot. I have never ever claimed anywhere for financial government benefits and so am ignorant as to what I can rightfully claim in benefits. My salary previous to leaving work on sickness exceeded that for child bebefit so i never claimed for anything.Things are different now and i need to claim all i am entitled to. Can anyone advise. Help greatly appreciated

Child benefit is available to all (it's things like the tax credits which aren't).

Wouldn't you have a case for them to have to make you redundant with a payout since your job has changed considerably? Due to the change in location if nothing else.

Call me suspicious, but I think it all sounds a little suspect that your job is suddenly not available after you've been off for 18 months.

Agree with Soupy. Might be worth talking to the Maternity Alliance as to your rights. Presumably you confirmed your intention to return to work etc during your leave. Is there a mobility clause in your contract ?

My company offer staff BUPA which i can not afford to do without at the moment.So its beneficaial if i can to remain with this company. They have a part time vacancy for a much lower grade job and part time which I am considering asking for.(Not to say thet I will get it tho) The major problem the pay differnce. Thats why I was hoping i could make a little bit up on some kind of benefit payments.

Who are the employment experts on MN? You should put a call out for them too.

Is it purely the new location that makes the job more stressful than your original one or is the work considerably different too?

My company have offered me a similar position job Just now not head office based where I was previously. I can ask for redundancy if they dont have a suitable position back in the office but i need the BUPA cover and long service insurance in case i need to take sick leave again. Grrrrrrr

Freckle and Sis are the employment bods - not sure about any others

Work is different too. Although new position is in profession which i took my degree in. So i cant say its not suitable for me in terms of work content. Sooooo distresed at th moment tho

How do I go about claiming for help towards creche fees????

anyone?

phone your local inland revenue office, or go online and get a child tax credit form (I think that's the one, but the IR website explains all.)

eve, does your original contract say that they can move your place of work at short notice?

no

nightynight I know i sound stupid but does the creche fee assistance get paid with child tax credit or is it a totally sep' department

when you fill in the form,you put down how much you are paying in fees, and they take that into account when they calculate the tax credit. dont worry it'll be crystal clear when you've been through it!

you must be on stronger ground if your contract doesn't let them move your job location around?
Im no expert though. I once got my job moved, we got 1000 pounds compensation. This is one of those times when it would really help to be in a union.