Being pushed out of work before I even return???

[lodo]

I am back to work after DC3 in 2 weeks time. Prior to kids, I was successful and well regarded. In between maternity leave things have gone down hill. During this last maternity leave, I had to raise a grievance against my team leader which I thought I had been resolved. Anyway, I have been using my KiT days to pop into the office and attend training days, etc. because I really want to make a good start. Over the last 2 mons I have also been asking which clients I will be allocated (I need 7-8 clients) but my new team leader has not got back to me until now and tells me I have only 1 client. I may be over reacting (please tell me this is the case) and I am really upset. That is not enough to keep me busy and in the past I have been criterized for not billing enough hours. I just wonder if I am Being punished for raising the grievance against the previous team leader and I seriously think I am being pushed out. What do I do?

People always feel vulnerable going back after mat leave, so that could be clouding your judgement......are you full or part time? Obv if you're full time you're much less trapped, so if they really are playing silly buggers, much easier to move on.

I'd definitely point out lack of clients to new team leader. When I went back after dc1, my manager tried to get me to accept a 20% cut in my hourly rate because I was going part time. I explained that I was already taking a 40% cut in take home pay by going to 3 days, so didn't fancy any more pay cuts thanks. They backed straight down. Just make sure you're being reasonable, then stand your ground. Good luck!

Hi - sounds like you may be a lawyer, is that right? If so, how senior are you?

Sorry to say that you might well be right to be concerned What I think you should do is first raise your concerns etc and see what they say and second start keeping a record (at home) of exactly what is happening I have seen too many professional women (well lawyers !) get forced out after Mat leave There are a lot of dinasours (not all men !) out there However there might be a chance that you are just being over sensitive Carry on doing the best you can with the work you do get and stay positive Good luck

Is it possible to put something in writing semi-formally to set out your concern at only having one client on return? You need to give them a chance to explain their thinking (whether that is misguided because someone has said you are going part-time, for example, or you only have one client now but the plan is to ease you back in and quickly ramp up to your full complement within the first month). Then you know where you stand and can react accordingly on the facts, not gut instinct.

Thanks for the responses. No, I' m not a lawyer but I am an actuary (part time, 4 days a week) and relatively senior (qualified over 7 years ago). I think I will e-mail back and express my disappointment about the one client and give them a chance to explain. I just wanted to cry yesterday when I got the email and I know I don't really have a future with my present company so it just felt like another nail in the coffin!