Going back but they don't want me

[saratustra]

Basically that. Going back tomorrow after 1 year maternity leave, they tried to convince me to take a worse position so they could keep my replacement but I fought for my place. They just have to have me back but I know they don't want me there, it's a high pressure environment and I know they're going to treat me like shit till I decide to leave.
Not happy to be leaving my baby in nursery 10 hours per day to go back to that.

No real questions here! Just need a virtual hug, I'm very anxious and incredibly sad.

((())))
Really sorry to hear that.
Hope today was better than you expected.

Is your replacement staying in the company?
Document everything from day one so you're ready If they continue to try and force you out

That’s really shit but good on you for fighting your corner. Baby will be fine. Have you started looking for a new job?

Thank you all for your replies.

Yes, my replacement has been given a position they just created for her - took some of my work but I'm keeping the important tasks as I said some things were not negotiable and I made clear I knew my rights.

What makes me really sad is that they have shamelessly given all flexible working requests to all parents in the company but me. They say that I can always change my mind and take the other position if I want flexibility! After 5 years in the company working bloody hard!

I want to look for another job, but I need some post-leave experience and my next bonus, as the leave has been quite hard financially. So 1 full year..

Can you negotiate a pay off?

What do you mean ‘post leave experience’ . Give yourself time to get used to being back at work certainly, but unless your CV says ‘maternity leave - April 18-Feb 19’ which would be bonkers, your next employer won’t know about a gap.

I may be wrong but I was under the impression that they would need to have a very good reason for not giving you the same flexible working opportunities as they have given previously to ensure avoiding a discrimination case (though they don't sound a million miles from one now)

@Merchantgirl I have thought about negotiating a pay off. The problem is they won't openly say they want me out, they say this position would be less stressful for me given my new life situation. I would have understood it was just a kind offer if they would have left it at a quick suggestion, but I was warned by several colleagues about this happening and they also insisted.

@cheminotte That's a good point! I didn't think about that, there is no need for disclosure. I should consider this.

@watsmyname Of course, they tried to make it look as if they were doing it for the sake of my mental health, and because the nature of my work doesn't allow much room for flexibility. They thought I would just say yes to their reasoning, which also made me feel quite underestimated.

@watsmyname also, I know I could have taken it further about the flexible working, but at some point I understood that if I was going to go down that route it was going to end in me leaving, and I guess I'm not ready for that scenario.

I'm surely watching everything they do to me.

I think you need to take some advice, the reality of a job when they don’t want you there is not good-you can’t thrive in a negative environment. They are basically sidelining you because you’ve been on mat leave-they can’t do this.
Do you have a union or could you speak to one?

I had the same scenario, when I wanted to return to work. They wanted to keep the mat cover in the permanent post. I actually worked in HR! It worked in my favour got a much less stressful job on the same t&c’s, within the company.

Good luck OP, it’s your job and you have every right to return. But it sounds like it will be dreadful TBH.

Thank you all.

I definitely need to reconsider my options. Once I get over the shock of leaving the baby in nursery full time I will do some planning. @Merchantgirl exactly, even if I can't take it - it's just dreadful and I can't progress professionally. I don't have a union but I will do some research on this.

@Yogagirl123 you worked in HR! That's shocking. I'm glad it worked out for you.