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Should I complain?

12 replies

LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 14:55

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice. I've been in the same company for years but last year I moved to a different department. I fell pregnant and notified my manager a month into my new job. Despite being fully qualified for enhanced mat leave and pay, my boss couldn't accept my request to take the year off and told me I'd need to find the cover myself. In the end, to avoid him having to find cover, he suggested I take a couple of months and return to WFH. After some thought, I agreed to the terms because I was worried about returning to a hostile environment or not returning to a job - my skill sector is niche and jobs are hard to come by. There was a critical deadline on the project so I assumed it'd be temporary and I can resume leave afterwards. I was contacted to work several during my mat leave - agreeing to because I felt obliged to. When I returned I mainly worked from home but also began going in to work more frequently to meet the project deadline and working out of hours. After this I tried to request a month of shared parental leave to recover and spend time with my child before starting nursery but it was denied. I got offered a job at another department and accepted. Since handing in my notice, my manager has not spoken to me not even to acknowledge the notice. It's been a month. I'm at a loss as to what to do going forward as I feel used and unappreciated. Do I raise a grievance or count my losses and leave?

OP posts:
Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 22/07/2022 15:28

Unfortunately there is no right to stop and start maternity leave. Once you end it, it's over. I guess you could complain about being pressured by the manager to end your leave early, but really you should have complained at the time. If it had turned nasty, you would have had a lot of legal protection. I don't think there's much the company can do at this stage. What would you like to happen as a result of complaining?

LIZS · 22/07/2022 15:39

You can only work KIT days and continue ml. Sorry if you felt misled and under pressure to do otherwise.

LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 18:35

Thank you both for your replies. I know I can't resume mat leave which is why I requested shared parental leave - it's still not been a year since I had my child. It was fine with HR but needed manager to sign which he refused. Things since became hostile. If I were to complain it would be because of recent issues. It's also the silence I've faced since my notice that's worrying me as I can't close this chapter yet and move on. There needs to be a handover (I still have accounts, data etc) but my emails have been ignored.

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hopeishere · 22/07/2022 18:50

Despite being fully qualified for enhanced mat leave and pay, my boss couldn't accept my request to take the year off and told me I'd need to find the cover myself.

They can't do this. You are entitled to a year off. Do you have anything in writing? They have broken the law.

LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 19:02

Unfortunately it was discussed verbally but I do have in writing my boss saying, after I said I'd take a short mat leave, that it's good as he won't then need to look for cover. I don't know if it's enough to go on.

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Dodgygeezer · 22/07/2022 19:05

Time to lawyer up OP. Big time. You've been treated appallingly

hopeishere · 22/07/2022 20:22

LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 19:02

Unfortunately it was discussed verbally but I do have in writing my boss saying, after I said I'd take a short mat leave, that it's good as he won't then need to look for cover. I don't know if it's enough to go on.

That's probably not enough. You are within your rights not to take the full year but they cannot prevent you taking the full year. Similarly they can chose not to cover your post. What sort of organisation is it?

WTF475878237NC · 22/07/2022 20:37

Are you in the UK? Pregnant then screwed is a brilliant organisation to advise you on the chances of a successful claim. Your manager broke the law by refusing to accept you'd take the year off. If you have any text messages or emails complaining about it all at the time that will be evidence too.

WTF475878237NC · 22/07/2022 20:38

I mean personal ones if you didn't get anything in writing from him.

LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 21:14

Dodgygeezer · 22/07/2022 19:05

Time to lawyer up OP. Big time. You've been treated appallingly

Thank you for confirming. I've been questioning myself.

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LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 21:17

hopeishere · 22/07/2022 20:22

That's probably not enough. You are within your rights not to take the full year but they cannot prevent you taking the full year. Similarly they can chose not to cover your post. What sort of organisation is it?

Yeah I know they don't have to find cover but neither should I have been forced to look for cover in order to have my full maternity leave. It's not the organisation at fault but my manager acting alone. I know I should have complained there and then but the pressure at the time was immense. I also had no idea I was going to be treated with such hostility until months later.

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LoveToOat · 22/07/2022 21:20

WTF475878237NC · 22/07/2022 20:37

Are you in the UK? Pregnant then screwed is a brilliant organisation to advise you on the chances of a successful claim. Your manager broke the law by refusing to accept you'd take the year off. If you have any text messages or emails complaining about it all at the time that will be evidence too.

Thank you! I had no idea personal messages can be used so I'll definitely keep that in mind. I've heard of them but not tried contacting them yet but I will.

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