I can’t go back

[SimplyAmy1]

This could have been a super long post but I’ll sum it up to make it short. Ever since I’ve been at my current location of work, (I was made redundant previously then rehired when a new company had taken over) I have been very badly bullied to the point where I was signed off with clinical depression and clinical anxiety. I was also pregnant at this time and basically had the whole duration of my pregnancy off. I wasn’t allowed for whatever reason to work from home, even though I was able to and it was recommended by one of my consultants as I was also a high risk pregnancy.
I wrote a grievance and nothing really came of it…. Anyway I really don’t feel like I can go back after maternity leave. My baby is only 5 weeks old so won’t be going back yet anyway but maternity pay is shockingly low and doesn’t even cover half my mortgage let alone bills. I have been sick with worry and it’s making my anxiety worse. I was wondering people’s opinions on jobs I can do whilst off. Are there any cash in hand jobs that aren’t dodgy? Can I work from home for a new company whilst on maternity? Has anyone started a franchise with places like hart beeps?

I’d appreciate any advice! Thankyou xx

If you work for a new company while on maternity leave, I think your Statutory Maternity Pay will stop. If you are getting any additional maternity pay (not the statutory mat pay) from your employer you may have to pay that back if you do not return to work. I'd think about this very carefully OP, as you don't want to make a rushed decision and make your financial situation worse.

Is your maternity pay lower than you were expecting, OP?

Thankyou for replying @ChicCroissant, yes it’s much lower than expected. It doesn’t even cover half my mortgage let alone bills!
I was misinformed of how much I would be getting.

I have tried potentially
Applying for benefits through the gov website but they said I earn too much to be eligible even though I won’t be earning my normal salary?! I have had numerous issues with my employer and my salary has even been reduced 4 times
Since being there for no reason but that’s another issue! I just want to enjoy my maternity leave and my baby and not be worrying about work or money! 😢

If your baby is five weeks old and you put in a grievance which was mishandled/have bullying issues, you may well be within the three month timeframe to file a maternity discrimination case. Ring the Maternity Action or Pregnant and Screwed hotline and talk it through.

If so, the form to register a case is very straightforward. It's called an ET1, and is online. Filing in time gives you the chance to then have a conversation with your employer (ideally with external help from a union or local law centre or similar). You can look to negotiated exit - it's better for them because they don't have to keep your job open or risk a more serious pregnancy/sex discrimination case.

A settlement wouldn't usually be a lot of money - depends on how bad your treatment was of course - but it would be a lumpsum to set you up in something new and if you have been put through such a horrible situation when pregnant that you can't go back, it is absolutely right and proper that you are compensated for the employment rights you will lose.

Thankyou @JennyForeigner I have already written a grievance and it
Was determined at the outcome that it was bullying and harassment. It had been going
On since 2019. Nothing really came of the grievance except those people will
Be spoken to and my salary will return to what it should be x

Well, if there is a record of upheld complaint regarding bullying and harassment you really should look at your exit options with support. Do try your local law centre, or many universities now work with them so their law students get practical experience. Union membership is another route but often requires pushing. You may also have legal cover through a credit card, home insurance or other options.

Really you just need someone to take the weight off your shoulders and handle a negotiation which at this stage will usually be welcomed by both parties. Do you have a friend or maybe a partner who could do that for you?

To cause someone Harassment alarm or distress is a criminal offence tell them you will report this to the police.

Are you in the U.K.? Is there anything acas could do?

Regarding your employment issue you should get specialist legal advice and then you can see if there are foundations to build a case on/negotiate an exit and settlement.

In answer to your query about “any cash in hand jobs that aren’t dodgy?” the very nature of tax dodging cash in hand jobs makes them unlawful and therefore dodgy. Don’t replace one bad situation with another.

Your current employment contract is lawful meaning you can enforce any legal rights that have been infringed, get the right advice to take appropriate action particularly as it sounds like you may have some limitation (time limit) issues to navigate carefully.

There is a make a tenner a day thread on here somewhere that could give you some inspiration?