Maternity cover contract finishing sooner than expected

[1questionfromme]

I am covering a maternity cover which was due to end at the end of October when the person on maternity leave was due to be coming back. I've just been told that she has decided to return much sooner than expected at the end of June.

My contract states that I'm employed until end of October - is the workplace allowed to change my contract and end it early? I wasn't informed that this might happen and have planned for the role ending at the end of October.

I'm interested if anyone else has had this happen to them or if I have any rights given that my contract states I'll be employed in this role until the end of October. I'm guessing I don't have any rights but it doesn't seem very fair.

What does your contract state about notice? As long as they’ve given you the notice stipulated in your contract - which it sounds like they have, it’s unlikely there’s anything you can do.

Unfortunately as long as they’re giving contractual notice this is probably entirely lawful.

Thanks. I'll check that.

Usually they make you give a lot more notice than they need to give you…

If they’ve got it in writing in the contract, there’s no room to argue I’m afraid.

Double check your holiday entitlement too for up to your leaving date, to make sure you don’t overtake holiday (unless you don’t mind having the additional hours deducted), and that you are paid for any outstanding holiday hours if you don’t use your full entitlement.