employers have taken back a contract that i have signed...can they do this?

[LG11]

My employers agreed in April for me to go back part time after my maternity, a contract was signed. Three days before I was due to go back to work my manager said that they had changed their minds and that I had to return full time...can they do this? I am pregnant again now! If I was to look for a temporary job would I get any help with maternity from the government? Thank you for any help you can give me!

You are unlikely to get temp work whilst pregnant, however if you did you may be eligible for maternity allowance.

What reason has your employer given for changing your contract? Do they know you are pregnant again? If so, you may have a case for sex discrimination and/or constructive dismissal.

Thanks for your reply. They have told me that they could not find anyone to fill the remaining hours. The job has only been advertised internally and my workplace is miles from the nearest branch, so an internal applicant is unlikely. I informed them that I was pregnant after the retracted the contract so I'm not sure that this would count. I was a senior member of staff before I left and have gone back to that position - I think I may have put some noses out of joint by going back and this is their way of gently encouraging me to leave!

Check with an employment solicitor but I am not sure that is a strong enough reason to retract the contract.

Do you have a signed copy of the contract?