Next step..grievance?

[belfast80]

Hello there,

I was hoping I could get a few opinions on what I should do about my employer.
I have been on maternity leave since June last year and am going back to work in a few weeks. On January 9th I gave my employer a Flexible Working Application and was led to believe that this wouldn't be a problem.

I was called to a meeting on 9th February to discuss this when I was told by the Chair of the Board that they could not give me a decision until after a Board meeting on March 1st. I expressed that this was not an appropriate timescale for me as I obviously have to organise childcare etc. but was told in no uncertain terms that nothing could be done until the Board meeting - regardless of my need to know. I was told that my Manager or the Chair would be in touch with me straight after the meeting.
I have since found out that the legal requirement for an employer to let an employee know the decision is 14 days, which would have been Feb 23rd. However, as I thought I would be informed quickly after the meeting, I did not contact my employer again.

I have not heard anything and sent an email to both my Manager and the Chair on Thursday evening but have not heard anything back.

I spoke to Labour Relations and they have advised me that I have serious grounds for a grievance but to try and sort it informally first.

I am unsure what to do, to be honest. It's a small office (6 employees) working in a reasonably unregulated sector (the arts) and my boss has had several grievances against him for bullying in the past so fear that this could make him start on me when I go back. This issue is just one of several that have happened over the last few years but the first one where I have felt strongly enough to make a serious complaint. Returning to work is stressful enough without this hanging over me. There has been a lot going on in the office and if it were not for my colleagues keeping me up to date with various issues which involve me, my job description and salary I would be totally in the dark so I sort of feel that my employer does not want me to return for some reason?

So...what would you do?

Thanks in advance.

Do you actually WANT to return?

No not a grievance.

Write a polite letter explaining their legal obligation and asking what the outcome of the meeting on march 1St was. Better still ring and ask. Explain you need to know what the decision was as a
Matter if urgency.

I have to return...not many jobs around at the minute and am planning to TTC DC2 next year so need to stay a while to get enhanced mat pay.

Good idea about the letter, will do that in the morning. I was so wound up on Friday I almost went ahead with the complaint but see now that I need to get this resolved with as little stress as possible and as little conflict with evil boss!

I wouldn't put a grievance in but I would call, write & email. Make sure you keep all evidence of contact especially when you don't get a reply, I find email the best way to do this.

I wonder if the meeting was for reconstruction of your department?

Lot's of it going on atm.

I got an email today telling me that they can't tell me until some time next week because funding announcements are due which may affect the decision. Bullshit excuses. I emailed back politely pointing out the fact that they have broken the legal timescale and I need an answer. This is so stressful!

Do you think they might be looking to make you redundant? How would the funding decisions affect your flexible working? Do have a HR person?

As Wips said, do you have an HR dept?

It does sound like they are possibly making changes within your department, you should return on your original contract hours on you return date if that is due before the next update.

You can still be made redundent whilst on mat leave unfortunatly

Hi, sorrry - haven't been on computer much.

No HR dept and they are definitely not trying to make me redundant, in fact I'm moving up to manager level with a good salary increase.
Latest news is they STILL have not let me know so I have given them a deadline of 4pm on Tuesday (my first day back in the office) to let me know or I am dropping the grievance on the CEOs table as advised by Labour Relations Agency and Equality Commission. Am really worried about going back to work now as my boss is such a horrible, manipulative man.

Poor you sounds very stressful. I'd be tempted not to go back until you had an answer. Can't believe you are going back to work and dint know what your hours will be. What if they turn your request down?

I'm really considering going off on stress if I don't have my answer by COB on Tuesday. In terms of childcare my mum can mind my DS on the extra day if needed while I try to get a new job (I'll appeal it if they say no..which will drag it on for another few weeks) but it breaks my heart to think I won't have my day with him. Been crying all night all about. I know going back to work would be hard but they have made it a million times worse :(
The Chair of the Board has been copied in on all emails which makes it worse as I feel there is no support at all as she has not even ensured the company has complied with the legislation.

I have spent the whole day crying about being apart from my DS. I know he will be well looked after by famiyl but it physically hurts when I think about leaving him. We have had the best time ever and now it's over. We need the money though, so I have to go back. I just keep thinking that hopefully I will get pregnant before the end of the year so have more time off to look forward to within the next few years or so. Please tell me this gets better with time. I'm only in 2 days a week until after Easter, when I am back fulltime/4 days (whatever they decide) I think I might feel a million times worse. I bear can't the thought that he might miss me and think I have abandoned him :(

'can't bear'