Having to re-apply for job whilst on maternity leave

[Pozza]

Hi,

I am currently 11 months into my mat leave and my company has just announced the restructure of the area I work in. As the majority of us (in the area) have not been directly matched into roles under the new structure, we have to re-apply for new roles.

There is a new team under the new structure which is very similar to my current team, containing very similar roles and the same number of roles, but as there are slight differences to the role profiles, we haven't been matched in.

As I'm on mat leave, should I have to go through this application process or just be offered the role? The timescales for doing the applications are very tight (must be in by end of April but I'm away on holiday for a week from next weekend) and with 2 small children to look after it's going to be very difficult to complete the CV and desktop assessment required in the timescales. I don't want to have to go through this if it isn't necessary.

Any advice please?

You have the right to be offered the roles if you are 'suitable' and if you are still on maternity leave when the restructure takes effect (might not be if you're already at 11 months?)

BUT

They can ask you to complete the process like other people if they think that they need extra information to assess whether you are 'suitable'. If you refuse, they still have to consider you, but you won't have as much opportunity to show off your skills and prove that you are suitable.

What Ribena said. If you were to still be on maternity leave at the date the new structure takes effect, and there is a suitable job for you, then yes you should be offered it.

Given the timescale, it seems the problem is more likely to be that you are no longer on mat leave when it takes effect anyway.

I think you should contact your manager and/or HR, confirm the proposed timetable, and if the plan is to have the new structure in place while you are still on maternity leave, request confirmation that the process is purely for establishing your suitability, not as a competitive selection exercise against your colleagues.

As an aside, it is difficult finding time when you're taking care of two, but would you really have much if any more time once you are back at work and looking after two anyway?

Thanks for your advice. I have since spoken to ACAS who said that because everyone else in the team/department is in the same situation, I do have to apply along with everyone else to prove my suitability for any roles. Just going to have to be a busy holiday i guess...