On mat leave - possible redundancy

[zarah21]

Hi MN,

I have a phone call tomorrow with MD, it's not looking good. He already mentioned losing 5 people (from 20) and this will be the call to tell me if I'm being made redundant.

I'm on statutory maternity leave, due to go back next February (full 12 months off)

Please can you all educate me on what I should be asking? What I may be entitled to? What happens to my statutory mat pay and annual leave not taken?

There's not enough work to sustain the company (travel industry job)

I was due a 3 year length of service bonus beginning of July, £1000 to spend at company... I'm assuming I'd lose this as travel not allowed? Or could they recompense some other way / or dont they have to?

Sorry for all the questions.

Many thanks for helping.

My call is at 10am, anyone please avail to offer advice?

If there is a redundancy situation and a team of 20 is being reduced to 15 then there is generally a competitive situation with set criteria for selection of those who keep their jobs.

The company doesn't simply get to pick without a reasonable rationale, and on maternity leave you have a slight advantage. If they pick you to be made redundant they may be at risk of being accused of discrimination.

I hope the call is to tell you about what is going to happen rather than tell you are redundant

You need to understand the redundancy process that your organisation will be using
And Whether they are offering voluntary redundancy

For your bonus unless it's contractual it is likely they can't afford it at the moment if having to make redundancies

Good luck with your call

There's an organisation called pregnant then screwed that has good advice on it and a free advice line. Sorry I can't be more direct help!

Thank you GoldenBlue, so helpful! gosh I'm nervous! 30 mins to go.

@islandislandisland... I will check them out thanks so much. X

Hope it goes well for you. I'm 6 months pregnant with a restructure looming at work so know the feeling!

You are more protected than a standard employee while on mat leave.

Still waiting atm.

You would think I was but the last girl to try and come back from mat leave was made redundant, I've a year ago. Did away with her job only to split it amongst two new starters and rename their role.

I thought I'd read that you have to be offered the same or similar role regardless of whether you're the best candidate. Might be wrong though but it would be worth getting some advice if it seems like your company are likely not to stick to the law.