Hello,
Long one so please, strap in.
I have worked for my employer for coming up for 3 years in January. I went off on Maternity leave in Sept 2024 and my son was born a few weeks later in October. I took enhanced maternity pay (6 months full pay, 3 months statutory and 3 months unpaid), which meant I legally had to return to work for a minimum of 6 months before I could leave, to ensure I didn't have to pay anything back.
I went back to work 3 days a week and using 2 days holiday to make it back to a full salary.
I come back to work to no boss, a new CEO, lots of changes happening and what ultimately seems as if no job. The "contractor" in to do my job (male) has been brought in and has been asked to stay for an additional 6 months. Not sure if this is sus for the 6 months enhanced or not. I have an email from my boss before she left to say what he was covering in my absence and that he is STILL continuing to cover, even when I'm back. I did ask if this had been discussed as it seemed as if he was doing my job, but no response. She then finished up 3 days before I returned.
I did tell him I would be doing my certificated for a part of my job that I do and he said, "oh I wouldn't bother, I'm doing that now" then, a week or two later, I was removed from access completely and it was given to other members of the organisation who have NO clue how to work it.
I come back to work, nobody in my office on my first day back after a year, fine. I come back to 500 emails which for being off for a full year seems quite low, anyway. I flag to my new CEO how I have no workload. I don't mean whittled down, I mean ZERO of my old job because it is now being split between the contractor and other members of the team.
I have spoke to the new CEO multiple times, he gave me the option of 'staying and helping the team, taking my 6 weeks holiday all at once, or to leave' He did also mention I could raise a grievance but he said in the same breath there would be no point as they'd tell me the same things he was telling me now. I also did hear through the grapevine that he wouldn't be making people redundant, but he was good at making people leave, which makes sense.
I continued to show up to work 3 days a week, with nothing to do. I persevered until a few weeks ago, when I had a complete breakdown with my new boss. I told her I can't be here, I don't have any work to do, I feel useless, my job is no longer mine etc. The first thing she offered is that she could 'get me 3 months' salary'. I feel like the conversation must have been had before between higher ups as it was VERY quick.
She then spoke to the new CEO, and they said they would offer me standard redundancy (£1,200), but they'd double it. Now, for me, this seems suspicious. NO ONE else has been offered redundancy, only me, and it seems as if they just want rid of me because they know they've fked up. We don't have a union, our HR advisor is online, and I feel like I've been pushed out of my role.
I've since went off on sick pay until I decide what to do, which is where I'm struggling. I don't know whether to try and negotiate a higher settlement agreement as it's clear my job still exists, they've given me NO reason for redundancy.
I have since been locked out of my emails (which I've heard is common when on sick), so I can't get evidence as such. I do have SOME screenshots, but unsure if it's enough. I did take notes on my phone with interactions, etc, but not sure if it would hold up or not.
Do I have any lawyers/HR specialists on here? My head is scrambled and its taking such a toll on my mental health.
any help would be appreciated xxx