Going Back To Work After Maternity Break

Mumofthreeboys_2

I'm not sure whether this post is in the correct place.......

This concerns my sister who wants to return to work after maternity leave. There has been a temp doing her job since she left.

She was told about a month ago, when she attended a meeting at the office, that she could return for 2 days a week starting on 13th April. This is just what she wanted. So she made provision for childcare, etc.

She has since (this week) attended another meeting and they are now saying that they never said she should return to work on 13th April!! They are also saying that because she only wants to do 2 days a week, they now have to advertise to find somebody willing to do the other 3 days a week and have said this could take up to 3 months. Her friend at the office has told her that the temp currently doing her job has actually been offered the job, but they can't tell the temp why!! They have offered the job to my sister if she returns full time!!

Are they allowed to offer 'her' job to somebody else and are they allowed to treat her this way - any help/advice gratefully received.

mad

My understanding is that your sister has a right to return to her job, or atleast similar
(Although there are always ways for employers to wriggle about and try and get out of things). I have attached a link from ACAS that you can have a look at.

http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/8/6/RW04_1.pdf

I hope this helps

PS It all sounds a bit dodgy and the company could get themselves in to hot water

Mumofthreeboys_2

Thanks for your help. Like you say, they have to offer her something, which they have. They have offered her her job back full time (but she doesn't want this) they also offered her the job she was doing when she was 19 (she's now 34) so the money won't be worth going back to work.

Has the Company done all they really have to do for her??

andycarmi

I have a book from the hospital called HNS The Pregnancy Book. There is a whole chapter on Rights and Benifits! Did your sister get one when she pregnant???

hjb123

I would see what the CAB have to say! Was your sister doing full time until she went on Maternity leave? The CAB will know the ins and outs of maternity leave and getting back to work - I am sure this sort of thing will happen alot!

andycarmi

Some USEFUL WEBITES.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/individual/flexwork-pl520.pdf
https://www.eoc.org.uk
https://www.adviceguide.org.uk
https://www.tiger.gov.uk