Returning to 'equivalent' job after additional ML

[StetsonsAreCool]

I'm due to return in September after 40 weeks ML. I've had a letter today saying there have been lots of changes in the department and therefore my old job isn't available, but another job has been created on the same level. They've asked me to go in next week to discuss it in more detail.

What happens if I don't want to do their new equivalent job? The job title sounds the same as my old one, they've just added the word 'technical' to the front. I don't want to do a 'technical' job - although I appreciate it might just be a renamed, dressed up version of my old job.

To complicate matters, I had a very generous additional maternity pay, for which I have a 3 year lock in before I can leave without penalty. I'm dreading going back and being stuck for 3 years in job I don't want.

It might turn out ok once I've spoken to them. Any tips on what I should ask or how I should voice my concerns?

Try to be positive and see this meeting as an opportunity to ensure your new job fits your needs and skills. Key phrases might include "I'm really excited to have this opportunity to grow my skills and learn a new aspect to the role but I also want to ensure I'm playing to my strengths so I can be sure to contribute as much as possible"

Don't give the impression that you are unwilling to change/grow/develop or that you are looking for an easy ride.

You may find there's not much technical in the role anyway. Job titles and job descriptions often bear very little resemblance to what people actually do 80% more than half the time anyway in my experience.

I know I only have the right to return to an equivalent job. I've been apprehensive about this all along as they haven't hired any cover for my role, which has made me feel like they've been testing out how they'd get on with a smaller team. Feeling pretty knocked around by them to be honest - they cocked up a load of stuff before my ml started. And I was made redundant after my first ml so I obviously have some demons that are haunting me.

Thanks for the advice. Definitely won't be going in with any negativity. Apprehension, maybe

'Technical' is not necessarily bad to have in your job title. What's important is your role and that it's something you are capable of and enjoy doing.

In some situations 'technical' could even be helpful. When I tell people I'm a consultant they tend to assume that I'm a person who knows nothing about their job coming in to tell them how to do it because their boss is a wuss. Tell them I'm a technology/systems integration consultant and their understanding suddenly tends to be that I'm there to do the stuff they don't understand.

Technical skills and experience are highly rated on the job market. I can actually see this being a beneficial change of title so long as the role doesn't change much.

That's true Ham. I guess because of the industry (electronics) it could go either way. But the word shouldn't be something to be automatically scared of.

If I end up working with the technical department that's no bad thing, they're all nice people! It's just not really the direction I'd seen myself going.

I won't know until next week of course. And now I need to find childcare at short notice. Gah.

If you don't think the job is truly equivalent, and can argue why, they would have to offer you redundancy as there isn't a suitable alternative role for you to come back to, and therefore you wouldn't have to pay back any enhanced maternity pay.

Hopefully though, you'll be happy with the new role.

Thanks littlefoot. I think I'm going to need help with writing that to them...

Got my new job description through today. They've created a completely new job, but it's so different from my old job. 5 of my 15 new duties are receptionist - answering calls, organising refreshments, post room.

There's some planning and business analyst stuff in there, but also answering technical support calls, and managing the website.

I'm travelling 45mins each way for a job I thought was going to get me into management, and now a third of my job is entry level admin?!? I could do that in my home town and save £200 on petrol!