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[milkmummy1]

I had a really bad pregnancy experience at work where I was being bullied by my manager. My manager was trying to discipline me during my last week at work for taking time off sick when it was pregnancy related (and therefore shouldnt have done so) Although i cant prove it i think the stress is why i went into labour 6 weeks early as everything with the pregnancy was going fine. My managers boss knew about the bullying and said she would put me with a different manager when I return.
However, 6 months on HR and my bosss boss are now saying that I have to go back to the same manager and that if I want part time, I have to have the set amount of days they are saying and not they amount I want. They said they would only separate me from my manager if I did a formal complaint about him but I dont want to do that as I find things like that very hard as I am very sensitive and anxious. I feel like I am being forced out. I have been there 13 years. I would be tempted to just not go back but if I dont return for a minimum of 3 months I will have to pay back some of my maternity money which I cant really afford to do.
The whole compamy have been terrible at keeping in touch or getting back to me. HR and my unions dont return my calls or my emails. My own team never contact me not even socially because they say legally they are not allowed to.
I have been really down about everything that happened at work when I was pregnant and I have been having nightmares about the prospect of going back.
the doctor yesterday said I may have a bit of PND as I dont like being on my own as I start to get down and panicky about things. What are my options? Could the doc sign me off sick for when I go back? Have been going over everything and I think it would be so hard to go back, as I am on such bad terms (especially now!) with my department
thanks in anticipation

I really feel for you, working for such an uncaring group of people.

If paying back some maternity pay is a problem, then I'm afraid you do need to go back. They've told you you can have a new boss if you raise a formal complaint (I'm assuming they mean a 'grievance') against you old boss - I think you should do that, it will give you some breathing space. Get your union involved for support. Have a good look at the wording of your contract, in particular the bit about the three months you have to work so as not to lose out financially: if this won't be affected by sick leave, go to your gp after you have started back (this could be the same day).

With regard to part time working, even if they insist on their hours, you can still put in a formal request for the hours you want. They are then obliged to respond within 28 days. Insist on detailed reasons if they refuse your request. If they don't, then you could add this to your grievance.

It might be worth talking to someone at your local CAB - their services are free, and having someone to back you up can be helpful. They may also be able to speak to people on your behalf, especially the uncomfortable conversations about not going back to your old boss.

SEnding you a hug - I think you need it.

I am not an HR person - but you might find this website useful here.

You can ask for certain days and hours and your employer is supposed to consider any reasonable request.