I go back to work in 3 weeks and would have been off for 9 months. I'm 100% clued up on my rights. If I'd gone back before 6 months then I'd have been entitled to my same role with the same t&c's. By going back after 6 months I'm only entitled to a similar role if the needs of the business have changed and my old role is no longer there (but my mat cover would not be allowed my old role) and the same t&c's.
About three months ago I informed work I'd be coming back on x date and we have various correspondance but they sent me a revised job description. When I went on mat leave I was a Project Coordinator for our European department, I had mat cover doing this role. I have been told that my role has changed and in line with this they will be changing the name of the role to Business Coordinator in our Operations department (totally different department). I read through the job description and it is about 50% different. I responded with a very structured email saying that I wasn't qualified and would need training. I also queried the new department but my boss was very defensive saying that I'm still working for the same department as I was always part of the Operations department and not the European department. She works for the Operations department, my contract says European (my old boss left and she was put temporarily in charge although she headed up a different department), I went to European meetings, Xmas lunch etc and not Operations. I took it all on the chin until I found out that my maternity cover had applied for a new role for Project Coordinator for Ministry. Basically the European dept have two sections, Ministry and Market. She will be doing the other 50% of what I was doing. I'm not sure if they've found a loop hole or if it's totally legit. Today I've had an email from my boss saying that there is no space for me in my old department and would be moving 3 floors up to work with the rest of Operations.
This all makes sense to me but I can't help but feel totally screwed over!!! I don't want to do this job but for now I can't afford not to work. I hate that my mat cover is still sat at my old desk, doing half of my old job and reporting into my other old boss (who was lovely and I will no longer be reporting into), she will be in my old department with my old job title. Am I making a moutain out of a molehill? I've tried really hard to get used to it but I'm just flipping miserable!