DP made redundant, we work for the same company, leave ends in 4 weeks.....Advice PLEASE!

[Longlegs1972]

Anyone out there that has any tips on how to deal with a totally male orientated business that has not played by the rules for my entire pregnancy/mat leave.... wanted top take further leave so that they would replace me - they say I cant do the job anymore due to the hours etc etc.... Totally stressed out about it all. Now theey have made partner made redundant, am sure there is some sort of conspiracy going on.... HELP!

Have you initially just taken your 6mths then?

Yes, had 2 wks hols and then 6 months. They r being really wierd with me. They didn't leave me alone till i gave birth and then harassed me when DS was a week old - told them to leave me alone and it hasn't gone down well.... Wanted to take further time but dont have to give them any notice - been there for 4 yrs - but also cos they haven't done the 'right' thing administrtivly (spelling...!) ie they didn't confirm my leave dates etc. Feel totally sick to my stomach...

Err, I don't know much about this but I thought that employers were not supposed to phone post birth even to find out the sex (personnell etc) as it can be constrewed as harrassment! Don't know how true this is as a rule, but that is what my HR maternity manager told me. I think you will have to speak to someone about it all really. What sore of field do you work in?

Sports Management of footballers..... 24/7 tyoe of job with crap pay... they called me when I was in hospital after DS was born demanding to know bout banking arrangements for a player - unbelievable... Who do you suggest I talk to??? PS Thx for just being there!

i'd go to / ring your local ca.b. sometimes you can email them too. will look for link for you.

here

If you click on advice on the right of the page for details in your area.

Thx Flossam, much appreciated. Keep yr fingers mentally crossed for me. x

Longlegs, I read you wanted to take more leave? You've been there long enough to qualify for additional (unpaid) maternity leave, and can take up to 6m if you want to. They can't stop you. As for ringing you in hosp, employers are required BY LAW (felt the need to shout that, as you should at them) to make sure you take at least 2 weeks off from work after the birth. I think ringing you about a work matter could possibly be construed as requiring you to do some work IMO- maybe not in theirs/tribunals. Nonetheless, you do have a valid concern re maternity leave and I would definitely follow Flossam's advice re the CAB and if necessary consult a solicitor. Good luck

Update, well they called me asking when I was going back - off the record - as they put it... Made a decision on the spur of the moment, taking AD, within minutes they had contacted ACAS and decided that they could replace me permanently if I took any AML.....little do they know that I still have total access to all their emails..... should make interesting reading from now on..... Hmmm, may just decide to go back the week after they find a replacement......

HOW can they possibly sat they can replace you if you take any AML?? Am baffled. Hope you and dp sort everything out, they sound pretty dodgy

Well they can replace me if it is unreasonably practicable for the company to continue to function without me in my position, however they have to offer me another position no less favourable than the one I hold now on no less terms and cond's. You are right though they are totally dodgy and do whatever they can to bend the law to their favour. Run by men.... what else can I say! DP seems sorted though, he will set up on his own and already has secured a retained project for 12 months that covers half his salary - interestingly it has come from the holding company that we work for!!!! If my employer makes life difficult for me, I will be straight to the papers, they are always in them for the wrong reasons so I'm sure they dont want another embarrasing headline.... I really want to go back on reduced hours, not by much just an hour less a day, otherwise I'll never see my DS

Longlegs - you are right about the offering you an alternative position to return to but you are entitled to AML by the length of your service.

I would advise you to document your communications with them and any events in case you need it for future reference.

Hi Missseagull, thx for tip, I have been noting everything and also printed off the mass of emails they sent me re work issues -especialy the ones that they sent within the first 2 weeks of giving birth. Just really dont need this stress on top of everything else and learning to be a new mum.... I hate confrontation and really dont want to end up having to take legal advice etc.....going to court or whatever... I think they will try and offer me a totally crappy position lower than what I used to to try and get me to resign, which I am sure consitutes as constructive dismisall??? Hate being in this position!!!