I have just found out that a colleague will be leaving in September. She is on a similar level to me but with slightly more responsibilities (+ slightly more pay!).
Her extra responsibilities are likely to be internally advertised in 6-8 weeks , by which time I will be on maternity leave.
I have done her role before in a previous job (currently in a less well paid job to get more variety of experience I wasn't offered by previous employer).
Anyway, my questions are should I show an interest in the job to my manager (before it has been officially advertised) and as I will off for 9 months can this go against me? I think the answer is no to the 2nd question due to discrmination but can't find any info anywhere.