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Original poster

Return from mat leave and cover made permanent

13 replies

MissRachelismycoparent · 19/08/2024 10:51

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on how to approach this.

Recently returned to work following maternity leave. I found out very early on in my maternity leave they had made my mat leave cover permanent. All good, everyone said good things etc. I've returned to work and I honestly don't have a job anymore. My job, that she was covering has turned into her permanent job and I'm just a spare part. I honestly have no work to do, not sure how to fill my time etc. I know it's difficult returning to work and essentially being the new girl again, but I didn't realise it would be this difficult. For context I've been at my employment 10 years prior to mat leave.

Anyone have any advice on how to approach this with my manager? I don't want to look like I'm jealous, but if I'm paying £100 a day for baby to be at nursery I want to have something to do.

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/08/2024 11:57

I would proactively ask for more work and for assurance you still have a job/ there are no plans to make your refundand ans keep everything in writing. Then don't worry too much ask enjoy not being busy for a while. You can also seek employment law advice.

CottonbudQueen · 19/08/2024 16:53

No No No .... this is 100% illegal. It happened to me. Came back to work after mat leave with nothing to do because they'd given my job to some bloke. This is discrimination, please make a clear record of everything that has happened, dates, emails, conversations, how this has made you feel etc etc get some legal advice straight away. Good luck.

ilovelamp82 · 19/08/2024 16:59

I would gain legal advice. I'm sure that they're not allowed to do this.

BarbedButterfly · 19/08/2024 17:01

How long were you off for as that depends on what is allowed?

KerryBlues · 19/08/2024 17:01

Have you been assigned different duties? How was it presented to you when you were told she was staying on, was the intention that you job share?
It sounds a bit odd that you didn't question why your role suddenly needed two people doing it.

elizzza · 19/08/2024 17:03

How long have you been back at work? Has your manager done any sort of return to work meeting with you yet?

Original poster
MissRachelismycoparent · 19/08/2024 17:11

Thank for the replies. To answer a few questions...

It was just dropped in casually on a meeting with my manager. I was never full time before I went off, more like 75% of FTE and it was sold to me as keeping her on would be a way to reduce my hours to 50%. She was/still is employed on a full time contract. When mentioned I feel like there isn't enough work for us both it's just brushed aside.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissRachelismycoparent · 19/08/2024 17:12

I was also off 9 months

OP posts:
Caffeineislife · 19/08/2024 17:27

Was there any discussion about you only returning 50% at any of your back to work meetings? Are they expecting you to put in any flexible working requests in? Is there someone in the office coming up for retirement/ mat leave/ carer's leave/ wanting to reduce their hours? Is the company expanding or planning to expand over the next year?

This happened in a role I was covering (I was the maternity cover), however the lady I was covering on Mat leave had a kit meeting with the manager before she was due to start back and wanted to drop her hours and disclosed she was pregnant again. There was also another team member who was returning from mat leave who also wanted reduced hours. The 2 ladies were close colleagues and were happy to job share. There was also another team member who was very close to retirement and was counting down the weeks until they could retire. There was a chat with HR and it was decided to keep me on as they knew 2 FT roles were coming up in the next 6 months. Perhaps there is a situation similar happening at your workplace like this that is happening that you haven't got wind of yet?

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2024 17:31

Check with Pregnant then screwed but I think you are only entitled to your old job back if you take 6 months or less off, after that you are entitled to a job at the same level.

CasaBianca · 19/08/2024 18:53

Could you cherry pick the tasks from your old job that are the post interesting/complex and let your manager know that you will be handling these (don’t ask, juste state it) and act as if she is there to help you, ie you remain the main person on the role IYSWIM?

KerryBlues · 20/08/2024 17:02

CasaBianca · 19/08/2024 18:53

Could you cherry pick the tasks from your old job that are the post interesting/complex and let your manager know that you will be handling these (don’t ask, juste state it) and act as if she is there to help you, ie you remain the main person on the role IYSWIM?

She’s full time and op will be dropping to 50%; that won’t wash.

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