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What to expect at a maternity check in?

8 replies

Silverhope77 · 25/01/2025 09:30

Some background, I'm 3 months into my maternity leave with my second child. I've been at my organisation nearly 10 years and managed to do well despite constant restructurings. However, the current restructuring is the worst yet and I seem to have landed in the firing line. I was requested to do a formal end of year review last week over Zoom. They also made me submit my self assessment 2 weeks after I gave birth. I thought I'd had my interim appraisal and handover in July with my interim line manager but found out at the time of the self assessment request it was not acknowledged as such, so not in the system.

The performance review I had last week was awful. I've never had a bad review and it knocked me for six. No issues were raised with my performance the past year. I'm responding with evidence for some of the examples raised in the review in my defence. I know I won't change the rating, but I can provide context on why certain projects stalled etc. and this can at least be saved in the system. Overall, this has really impacted my mental health and I'm now struggling to enjoy my time with my baby. I'm so worried about the future, work, my ability to do my job there or anywhere. They have not put me on a PIP, but I feel it's coming. I didn't get defensive in the meeting and made clear performance issues hadn't been raised previously with me. Also that I want to do well and would take any assistance offered to get me back on track.

I was also formally diagnosed with ADHD while on leave after 3 years of waiting. I know this has had an impact on my work on occasion, my line manager for the past 2 years was aware but his job was made redundant in April last year.

Work has now requested a maternity check in next week. I've not had one before. I don't know what to expect. Has anyone had one before? How should I prepare for it? I don't want to be blindsided again.

OP posts:
JoyousPinkPeer · 25/01/2025 09:40

You shoukd not havevhadxa performance review whilst on maternity leave. Are you in a trade union? If so get in touch.

I would decline the forthcoming meeting as on maternity leave but state that if the meeting is somehow 'vital' then I will consider attending after sight of an agenda and details of who will be present. I would state that I would like to have the option of being accompanied at the meeting.

You do know that if there are redundancies you get priority for 'suitable and available' jobs, just remember that fact.

Silverhope77 · 25/01/2025 10:51

JoyousPinkPeer · 25/01/2025 09:40

You shoukd not havevhadxa performance review whilst on maternity leave. Are you in a trade union? If so get in touch.

I would decline the forthcoming meeting as on maternity leave but state that if the meeting is somehow 'vital' then I will consider attending after sight of an agenda and details of who will be present. I would state that I would like to have the option of being accompanied at the meeting.

You do know that if there are redundancies you get priority for 'suitable and available' jobs, just remember that fact.

I opted out of being in a union because it would not have helped my career. Hours go beyond the 37.5 a week. I got in touch with ACAS and pregnant and screwed after the review meeting.

Thank you, that is very practical about the upcoming meeting. I should keep everything in writing and not heave anything to chance.

I understand the law now states I can't be made redundant for up to 18 months post birth. I was told I was going back to my former team on my return on the same grade. Now they are suggesting my poor performance the past year could put me at risk. Apparently performance can be used as a reason for dismissal, pregnant or not.

Tbh, I wasn't on top form the past year at my job. I was quite ill throughout my pregnancy and it was high risk. I was given tasks with little background and shut down by more senior managers when difficult obstacles arose, blocking me progressing on them. I was encouraged to put my pregnancy first and not take on new work and close down what I had. I feel I've been set up and been quite naive about it.

I need to go back as I need the money. I'm looking at any training I can do in my own time while I'm off.

OP posts:
fingertraps · 25/01/2025 10:54

I think you need to get some advice, eg from ACAS, about disclosing your disability and making your employer aware you need reasonable adjustments.

Noodlesnotstrudels · 25/01/2025 11:02

Are you in the UK? It might be worth checking your home insurance to see if you have legal cover because I think you urgently need some proper advice. Maybe also ask MNHQ to move this to legal matters.

Your employer sounds like they could be on shaky ground. I cannot believe they made you do a performance review whilst you are on mat leave. That is absolutely outrageous.

You are legally not allowed to do any work in the first 14days after giving birth. What exact day did you have to submit you self assessment because they may also have broken the law in respect of this.

Silverhope77 · 25/01/2025 19:45

fingertraps · 25/01/2025 10:54

I think you need to get some advice, eg from ACAS, about disclosing your disability and making your employer aware you need reasonable adjustments.

Thank you, I'm already on it through work's EAP as they provided the funding for the assessment in the first place as the NHS was taking so long. Thought it best to do it that way rather than going through my new line managers first.

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Silverhope77 · 26/01/2025 11:33

Noodlesnotstrudels · 25/01/2025 11:02

Are you in the UK? It might be worth checking your home insurance to see if you have legal cover because I think you urgently need some proper advice. Maybe also ask MNHQ to move this to legal matters.

Your employer sounds like they could be on shaky ground. I cannot believe they made you do a performance review whilst you are on mat leave. That is absolutely outrageous.

You are legally not allowed to do any work in the first 14days after giving birth. What exact day did you have to submit you self assessment because they may also have broken the law in respect of this.

I am in the UK. I never thought of using my home insurance, thank you for the tip.

I checked the dates and they were just out of the 2 week window. It was still during my mat leave though.

I feel you are right, they are on shaky ground, but they have lay offs every year to stay profitable so I think they are more experienced than I at it. It's possible I was already marked prior to announcing my pregnancy, they then couldn't get rid of me so they are now trying to manage me out. I'm not going to do anymore meetings with them which requires me to do work, I'm too sleep deprived and I'll screw up. Not giving them the ammunition.

OP posts:
JoyousPinkPeer · 29/01/2025 10:53

You said you weren't in a union as it would affect your career.

Just to say, you can join a union and pay directly rather than through salary if you wish to join a union without employer being privy to the fact.

Silverhope77 · 29/01/2025 14:58

JoyousPinkPeer · 29/01/2025 10:53

You said you weren't in a union as it would affect your career.

Just to say, you can join a union and pay directly rather than through salary if you wish to join a union without employer being privy to the fact.

Can I? I'm going to look into that. Thank you x

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