Going back to work - what are your rights ?

[Pupuce]

I am currently on 6 months paid maternity leave (yes I have a generous employer). In January I am due back but was told today that my department had been restructured and that there was no job for me in it (a few other colleagues are in the same boat). I was encouraged to look for a job somewhere else in the company and to talk to HR.
How long do they have before they can let me go ? Does anyone know ??? I am going to look for another job in the company and oustide but wondered what my rights were.
THANKS!!!

Alf - Poor you! This sounds terrible! I'm not an HR person, but just happen to know a bit about this as I have investigated it myself recently (my job is also being merged with another, and as a result I could be made redundant (I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant).
Unfortunately companies CAN make you redundant if you're pregnant/on maternity leave, but they have to be very 'squeaky clean' about their reasons/rationale for selecting you over other (non pg) employees. You're right to get legal advice - I'd keep doing this as the law is constantly changing. I also found the Maternity Alliance a good source of info:
Info line is: 020 7588 8582 or www.maternityalliance.org.uk
I found a free factsheet of theirs on the web somewhere recently entitled "Redundancy and Maternity".
Good luck - make sure you find out all your rights and go for all you're entitled to basically!!

Alf, it all happens at once, doesn't it?

I have been in similar situations in the past and I used to rely on two sorts of professional help: one from outside my field of work, like the CAB or a solicitor, and one from inside my field of work, like an industry 'help' organisation, or a trade union.

The latter sort of help was invaluable because it enabled me to put my legal position in the context of my industry, ie if other employees in similar companies were getting big pay-offs. and how many companies were making redundancies. Of course, this knowledge doesn't necessarily change things for you, but at least it helps you make the right decisions and know what's worth fighting for, and what isn't.

I hope it all works out. Post here if you need more info - lots of us have been through it, too.

TigerMoth1 and MotherOfOne
Thanks for your messages of support and the advice. I'll definitely try to maternity alliance, and will try to contact someone from our "works' council" (the nearest thing we have to employee representation!) Nothing is certain yet, and I'll let you know what happens.

Sis/Anibani,thought I'd ask you the following... I have been in 5 interviews already for this job (still in same company) - I understand I am the only candidate and they want to make sure I would fit in (so they are getting HR, x,y, and Z to interview me!!!!)... but I can't help thinking that they keep asking me the same questions and I wonder how to have "interesting" answers... I find that everyone would answer their question "this way"... Particualrely HR's questions felt like they were coming out of a book and wondered if it was "normal" to feel that my answers were standard - maybe they are not. I just couldn't help feeling like :what do you expect me to say ???
My insecurities I guess !

Pupuce, sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I was hoping someone else would chip in as I have no experience in personnel work like recruitment.

So, in my unprofessional(as it were) view, I don't think there is anything wrong in giving the same or similar answer if the same question is asked. I think it would should that you mean what you say because you are being consistent. Also, you can make a virtue of it by saying something like "as I said to ... when he/she asked a similar question..." or even saying that the point is worth repeating because you consider it to be an important one.

HTH and please let me know you get on. Good luck

Thanks Sis - Actually I didn't get the job but I was told I nearly did... at the end of the day they are looking outside of the company to find a specific expertise which I don't have... but it was good to know that I came very close.
So I am still looking... and was glad I didn't get it because it meant heavy travelling for the next 6 months and DD is only 5 mo and still breastfed. Also I had applied immediately after I had heard of my fate so I hadn't really thought of my options. Now I have a bit of a clearer head.
I will let you know what happens. Thanks for the support.

Batters.... It's pupUce not pupAce - does pupace mean anything *you keep spelling it like that) ????? Now you won't want to sit next to me at the next Vinnopolis lunch
Thanks for the support though

Batters, well done! your new part time job sound very interesting.

Funnily enough, and Pupuce, please don't take this the wrong way but I'm sure I too am guilty of naming you Pupace. Why is this? I just don't know. I will now make a special effort to put in a U not an A.

Anyway, Pupuce, hope you find a new post soon - and one that doesn't require lots of long-distance commuting.

Batters - do you mind telling me what sort of job you do ???
Batters/Tigermoth : Anyway I forgive both of you .... Amen !

Ooo, I want to know too! I am in a similar position to you, Pupuce, in that I am soon to be made redundant and will be looking either for a part time job or freelance consultancy. I have not heard good things about the availability of part time work, and would appreciate tips on where to start. I work for a large pharmaceutical company in marketing.