Redundancy on maternity leave

jacqhale

Hi,
I was due to go back to work early next year after having been on maternity leave since July. I asked my boss for a meeting to discuss as I need to arrange childcare, he emailed back and said that times were tough, they were making cuts, didn't know yet how this would effect me etc ..... I know times are tough so wasn't sure if there would be a job to go back to but I'm not sure what I need to be aware of at the meeting next Monday (even though if it happens this will be my third redundancy in 2 years )

I was on a full time contract which after 6 months went down to 4 days instead of a pay rise, but they wanted me back full time at some point.
I started maternity leave in July and have offered to take a full year off to see how things go or to go back on an hourly basis/around school hours etc if that helps.
If I am made redundant on maternity leave can I start to claim maternity allowance straight away to cover the full 9 months or do I have to go on to JSA or some other benefit while looking for another job?
Is it in my interests to try and stay on maternity leave until April because that will push me over to 2 years employment, at the moment it's only 18 months.

Anything else I should be aware of?
Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

jacqhale wrote: »

Hi,
If I am made redundant on maternity leave can I start to claim maternity allowance straight away to cover the full 9 months or do I have to go on to JSA or some other benefit while looking for another job?


Your Employer will still be obligated to pay all you SMP even if you are made Redundant.

Regarding length of service, that's a tricky one Direct.gov.uk may have some pointers or an HR expert.

SarEl

It is actually incredibly difficult to make someone redundant whilst on maternity leave. So difficult as to be nigh on impossible in most corcumstances. The law says that you have a right to return to your post, or to one that is directly comparable. If there is a redundancy situation you cannot be selected on the basis that you are on maternity leave, and any suitable alternative vacancies which exist must be offered to you, even if there are more suitably qualified staff for them.

p-pincher

hi

I was made redundant whilst on maternity leave. The place where I worked was closing down so there was no alernative posts i could be offered. I was paid my full maternity as a lump sum along with my redundancy and severence.

jacqhale

Thanks everyone. I am the only one that does my job in a very small company. They have made one redundancy, not replaced someone who left and nearly everyone is now taking reduced hours so there is nowhere to go really.
Anyway, we have agreed that I can stay on maternity leave until it finishes in the hope that things pick up next year.
I did not realise that my full maternity had to be paid which is great to know. I was also wondering if they had any right to ask me to go in to explain some of my role to another member of staff if I did leave but hopefully that won't be necessary now. Will just hold tight until April and hope things have picked up by then.
Thanks for taking the time to reply!

xmaslolly76

During your maternity leave you can go into work for upto 10 days as a catch up before you go back how ever this is your choice and the company cannot force you to go in they will also need to negotiate a payment for these days if you do go in. More than 10 days will result in your maternity leave ending :-)