I went on maternity leave in 2012, taking a full year, from which I returned in September 2013. I went back to work 3 days a week which my employer was fine with. I would now like to increase my days to 4 days a week, as we need the extra money. My employer is considering this, but my line manager has said to me that they are not sure if they have enough work coming up to support a team of 3 people so might not be able to increase my hours. But one of this team was recruited as my maternity cover, who they decided to keep on as a permanent employee as there was enough work (at that time, anyway) to warrant 3 people (well, 2 and a half).
So is it fair for my employer to refuse to let me work 4 days or return to full time work; after all the only reason I went down to 3 days was because I had a baby. It just feels a little discriminatory, although I appreciate it's not the same situation as if they had refused to give me my full time job back when I returned from maternity leave.
Does anyone have any idea if there are any rights for part time workers wanting to increase their hours?
(I'm also now pregnant again, due in November, but don't think this is relavent - at least it shouldn't be!)