I'm scared my work will 'find me out' while I'm on ML

[MorrisZapp]

I have a very interesting job which I love, and consider myself uniquely lucky to have.

I have had the job on a full time permananent basis for 12 years now, but the thing is, my hours are never actually full time. I come and go as I please and generally I do as much or as little as I like. This is ok with my employers as they are v pleased with my work, and also they can't see me as I work remotely.

I'm not a skiver, I'm underemployed. I can only do what they give me and often that isn't enough to fill three days a week never mind 5.

I must confess that this jammy set up has actually put me off starting a family in the past as I don't want somebody else coming in and saying 'but hang on, this isn't a full time job'.

I'm now PG and very happy about it, but this issue is hanging over me. The thing is, my job could be done by a freelancer charging by the hour. I wouldn't want to freelance myself as I'd lose holidays, sick pay etc.

I'm scared that while I'm away they'll employ a freelancer and realise that my job can be done more cheaply.

I know they can't legally sack me after ML, but no company is going to employ somebody long term if they can get the job done cheaper by somebody else, are they?

Anybody been through similar?

I suppose one of the considerations would be whether you have actually ever told anyone that you have spare capacity and whether a temp would 'out' you. If you have mentioned it, then I really think you have nothing to worry about. If you haven't, I suppose the employer might think that you were either inefficient or not particularly honest. However the temp may not be as good as you and they may think that they are paying for a more thorough job

I've not been through similar tbh but I don't think that they could sack you, but probably make you redundant as they could say a FT role is no longer there. I'm sure someone on here will be able to tell you where you stand legally. Even if this was the case if they really like you perhaps they would negotiate on the hours if it came to that.

Congratulations on the pregnancy, I'm sure you are worrying unnecessarily,
Take Care
MLx

I've been on the opposite side, so to speak, as a temp.

Only one of the many assignments I did was to cover someone who clearly didn't have enough work to do, but that didn't matter because she needed to be there full-time because the role wouldn't have worked if the hours were reduced. If your job requires your availability full-time, then your employers don't have much choice other than to continue as at present. If you could put that case forward, e.g. as is the case for fire fighters, who have to be at the station even if they're not out on a shout for all their contracted hours, then you've got a good case for continuing the ways things are.

There's also the case that it is actually often more cost-effective to have the right person in the job full-time and permanently than to move it to a freelance basis. If a freelancer is used, even if it's you, there's no guarantee that you'd be available exactly when they want. The extra costs to your employer of NI, sick pay, etc., may well be outweighed by them not getting the job done to the level that you can do when they want you do it.

If none of that is of any help, and you do really think that your hours might be questioned and you don't want to reduce them, you could perhaps pre-empt that by casually mentioning that when you go back you'd like an appraisal at some time because although you're confident you will be more than capable of continuing your present level of excellence, you've become aware lately that you'd be interested in increasing your workload in the future because you've found that you can get through the work quicker (because of your experience) whilst maintaining the level of excellence and maybe the job could offer more of a challenge? Ok, that sounds a bit waffly, but I hope you get my point.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Maybe you are particularly efficent at your job because you have the talents and necessary experience. In many working enviroments its not the hours you put in, but the results you produce.

I would not worry about being made redundent until it actually happens. If they do make you redundant then they have to go through proper redundancy proceedures and give you 12 weeks pay.

I can't see how they could sack you if, after 12 years, they haven't reviewed your workload or output nor raised any issues about it; they might be on a very sticky wicket if they decided to do so when you go on maternity leave.

As others have mentioned, the person who covers for you may not be as efficient as you and will take a while to learn the job; and temps or freelancers do not necessarily cost less to employ nor might they have the same commitment.

If you're employed directly by the firm they can't change your contractual terms and conditions without your agreement and they would need a good business reason for doing so. If they decided to make your post an individual redundancy, they'll have to consult with you and if you're not happy there's a chance you could claim unfair dismissal. If it comes to that get legal advice first.

Relax and enjoy the rest of your pg and your new baby.

Oh bless you all. Thanks for your responses and reassurances. Much of what you say rings very true.

I am hoping to cut my hours after ML, perhaps to 4 days a week. That would satisfy both sides, I think.

Thanks again for your kind responses