Last Dec I was due to return to work after taking 9 months mat leave. I had taken maternity pay and was obliged to return for a minimum of 10 weeks or refund the mat pay. I was planning to return to work on the same terms as I had been previously and loved my job, having been with the company for 7 years. During the initial meeting my boss said that if I didn't want to return to work they'd waive the maternity benefit and then hinted very strongly that he'd prefer to keep my maternity replacement (who was childless, worked loads of overtime and was on a smaller salary, but was also very nice, I'd recruited her!). I was horrified as it was just before Christmas and my family are dependent on my salary. During a second meeting my boss stated categorically that he didn't want me to return and I could take redundancy which was 7 weeks pay. I was stunned and through a solicitor friend sought legal advice. After the most stressful 8 weeks of my life I finally negotiationed a (much higher) settlement and left my employment on Christmas Eve. I had a very strong case for sexual discrimination and could have taken it to a Tribunal but couldn't handle the stress. The condition of my settlement means I can't discuss it with anyone so everyone in the company thinks I left voluntarily. I wonder how may other women returning to work are silently forced to leave under such terms? Anyway, I wanted to share this to help anyone who may be in the same horrible position I was in. 8 months later I am very happy with the outcome but the process was horrible and totally knocked my confidence.