Reduction in roles whilst on Maternity leave

Bluecandle

Hi

I am currently on maternity leave and have been informed I am in collective consultation. Out of 30 identical roles 20 are to be made redundant.

I have looked at lots of information on the internet about the right to be offered an alternative role before anyone else due to maternity leave. I am confused about whether the fact 10 roles will be remaining counts as 'alternative'. At first I thought this could potentially mean I'm safe in that I can come back to one of the remaining 10 roles.

However, thinking more about it, are these technically alternative vacant roles? Would I have any more right to keep hold of my role than my 19 other colleagues due to being on maternity leave?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

ILW

Bluecandle wrote: »

Hi

I am currently on maternity leave and have been informed I am in collective consultation. Out of 30 identical roles 20 are to be made redundant.

I have looked at lots of information on the internet about the right to be offered an alternative role before anyone else due to maternity leave. I am confused about whether the fact 10 roles will be remaining counts as 'alternative'. At first I thought this could potentially mean I'm safe in that I can come back to one of the remaining 10 roles.

However, thinking more about it, are these technically alternative vacant roles? Would I have any more right to keep hold of my role than my 19 other colleagues due to being on maternity leave?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

The maternity leave should not affect your rights over your colleagues, one way or another.

Bluecandle

ILW wrote: »

The maternity leave should not affect your rights over your colleagues, one way or another.

Hi

Maternity leave does confer some special rights due to it leaving a woman on leave in a particularly vulnerable position


direct.gov.uk/en/parents/moneyandworkentitlements/workandfamilies/pregnancyandmaternityrights/dg_175088

"If you are made redundant whilst on Statutory Maternity Leave then you have special rights. You have the right to be offered any suitable alternative job in the company. This is even if there are other employees that might be more suitable for the job. If you are offered a new job, you are still entitled to the four-week trial period, which should start when you return from Statutory Maternity Leave."

I'm trying to figure out what this actually means when 1/3 of the roles will still be there.

marybelle01

ILW wrote: »

The maternity leave should not affect your rights over your colleagues, one way or another.

This isn't correct. If you are on ordinary maternity leave then you must automatically be appointed to one of the remaining roles - the ten remaining roles are definitely included. If it is additional maternity leave you are on it is a bit more complicated because there was some case law about not having an automatic right to the job. To be honest, as I'm not a lawyer I don't really understand this last bit and what it means for you, but you could try posting at http://www.redundancyforum.co.uk/ if nobody else here can help you - there's a lawyer there who helps people.

Bluecandle

Thank you Marybelle that is really useful, I've registered with redundancyforum so thank you for letting me know about it.