I wonder if anyone can help...I have just attended a 'returning to work/kit' meeting (due back to work in the next three/four months), and have been told that while I have been on maternity leave, as my work has been covered remotely at another office they have decided to centralise my department and relocate me to said office when I return. They have informed me that they will also be asking another member of staff to relocate (she is currently on long term sick leave and they have been covering her work too).
I currently work within a few minutes walk from my office and the relocation would mean travelling at least an hour to work by public transport and as a first time mummy to a DD and a non driver I feel this to be unreasonable. I asked what would happen if I refused to relocate and was told I would be made redundant.
I had put forward a flexible hours request at the meeting based on my current location, but after discussion with my husband decided if I was to relocate I would prefer to do less days per week than I asked for, but longer hours on the days I would work, due to childcare issues/transport costs, and suggested that this could be part of a job share. I have also asked to be considered for any other roles that may become available at my current office. I have since e-mailed this request to my HR manager and have been told this would depend on what the other member of staff involved decided to do! Nothing has been mentioned about the job change request.
I know that the other staff member will not agree to the relocation as she is in the same predicament as me and would have to travel even further than I would, and will probably take the redundancy. So I am worried that they will turn down my flexible working request on the basis they would then be short staffed if she leaves.
Can anyone tell me if they can make me and the member of staff on long term sick relocate or is this indirect discrimination? Also if they turn down my flexible hours request do I have any rights considering that they are expecting me to move offices? As yet I have not asked for a relocation incentive but this will be my next step if they refuse my change in hours.