Replaced at work during maternity leave!

[A2BMummy]

Hi, this is my first post, so sorry if I'm rambling, just really need to get a fresh perspective!

I work for a large well known retailer and have been off on maternity. Shortly before I became pregnant I was offered to train as a H&S officer. Accepted and then found out a few weeks later I was pregnant. Went to bosses, told them it was early days but I'd still like to do job and go on training (was trying to be a open and corteous as poss). All fine, supportive and I went on training courses and did job for 4 months before finishing for mat leave.
It was arranged that a colleague would also do the training and cover for me while I was on leave. Handed over to him and left for mat leave thinking all was hunky dory.

Went back into work to arrange dates to return etc. and discovered that I am not getting the role back and that my replacement is being kept on permanently as "it was not reasonably practical to keep the position open for me " as I had more than 6 months leave and that it was "too technical" to cover on a temp basis.

While I realise the fact that I had more than 6 months makes a difference, I dont believe they made any effort whatsoever to cover the position temporarily. They are simply choosing the convenient option, there is no reason I couldnt go back to the job and the guy who has been doing it return to his previous role, things change regularly in the store. Also, can a job that only required 2 x 3-day courses to qualify be classed as 'highly technical'?

I am so stressed about this, I know most people would probably agree its unfair, but Im unsure if I fight them if the law would be on my side? Im swinging between being determined to stand up for myself and throwing in the towel!

Thanks to anyone who stuck with me there, any advice warmly welcomed! Xx

How long were you off for?
How long has this guy been doing the job?
It would seem unfair to expect them to just step aside without a fuss after so long of doing it.

I think they have to offer you a role of similar seniority on the same pay. They do not need to give you exactly the same job back.
What have they offered you ?

Ive been off for 12 months. The role is an additional role for part of the working week, so Im being offered to just do my other shop floor duties full time. The other guy also has other duties that he could return to.

They have agreed that they cant take the premium payment off me, but I will no longer be the H&S officer...buy can cover for my replacement on his days off and hols

If you’re still paid the same as if you were doing it and you took 12 months off then they’ve followed the law.

So they've agreed to give you your old position back and payment for the H&S officer job but you won't actually be doing the additional work you're getting paid for?

I fail to see the issue.. sounds like a good deal to me.

Fair point! But my issue is that I won't then have the same opportunities for my future career if Im not in the position. I was never in it for the money(which was negligible)

Is your h&s certificate still valid, I was a manual handling trainer at my last job but had to update training each year to keep my certificate, I didn't bother after 2 years of doing it so someone else took over the role. If you want to continue with H&S in the future you may find you need to retrain for the role, especially if you go and work for a different organisation. It's all great experience, could you do any other course that would interest you.

They have not done anything wrong by law due to the amount of time you have had off. Anything after 6 months and it does have to be the same role just same level and pay.