Redundancy after return from maternity leave

I've Just had redundancy consultation with my employer who O;ve been with nearly 20 years. I was on maternity leave for a year and was told of this 4 weeks after my return. I came back part time instead of full time. Can my employer do this to me? I thought I would be protected. They had started someone to cover for me but had decided a few months ago to keep him working there anyway. There are big company reorganisations going on and I was told that both our jobs are going because some duties are being centralised . There is a new role being created, so looks like one will be made redundant and one will get applying for the new job. I can see lots about when you are on maternity leave, but not after it. They are using a score sheet to decide who goes Can they do this?:mad:

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,077
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    I thought I would be protected.
    Only while you were on maternity leave. You are now back at work as just another worker without any different protection to anybody else.
  • soapy1458
    soapy1458 Posts: 10 Forumite
    !!!!!! wrote: »
    Only while you were on maternity leave. You are now back at work as just another worker without any different protection to anybody else.


    But what about the other person took on initially as maternity cover for me? Can't my employer simply make them redundant, does my service not count? i thought that it's sexual discrimination , and am about to take a grievance out
  • soapy1458 wrote: »
    But what about the other person took on initially as maternity cover for me? Can't my employer simply make them redundant, does my service not count? i thought that it's sexual discrimination , and am about to take a grievance out

    Another position was created for the other person. Why do you think it is sex discrimination, why do you feel the other person should have less rights than you?
  • soapy1458
    soapy1458 Posts: 10 Forumite
    Well i thought that it was OK before i finished on maternity leave. Excuse me, but I feel so bad about this. Would me changing to part=time have affected this ? They say that the new job has to be full-time and the other person isn't interested in part-time with me. I thought also that it might be because I'm now a mother
  • mildred1978
    mildred1978 Posts: 3,367 Forumite
    soapy1458 wrote: »
    Well i thought that it was OK before i finished on maternity leave. Excuse me, but I feel so bad about this. Would me changing to part=time have affected this ? They say that the new job has to be full-time and the other person isn't interested in part-time with me. I thought also that it might be because I'm now a mother

    I can guarantee with absolute certainty that "is a mother" won't be one of their redundancy criteria. I'm sure they'd give you the new role if you wanted it (and were qualified/experienced for it) - not their problem that it can't be a part time role.

    Don't see any discrimination here - you and a male worker seem to be being treated the same.
    Science adjusts its views based on what's observed.
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  • soapy1458 wrote: »
    Well i thought that it was OK before i finished on maternity leave. Excuse me, but I feel so bad about this. Would me changing to part=time have affected this ? They say that the new job has to be full-time and the other person isn't interested in part-time with me. I thought also that it might be because I'm now a mother

    What you "think" does not come into it. The company appear to have based their decision on the needs of the business, and unless you can prove otherwise you have no grounds for complaint. I would strongly advise against raising a grievance without something to back up your thoughts.
  • soapy1458
    soapy1458 Posts: 10 Forumite
    edited 18 August 2012 at 9:36PM
    Thank you for your replies. I feel very upset about it, but wouldn't want to create a wrong impression with my employer. I know that it's all got to be fair. I thought that maybe they have done this because i'm now part-time and they want full time instead, which the other person is. I haven't yet signed my change of contract, but have been back 4 weeks only part-time. will that change anything?
  • CAB_Malvern_Hills_representative
    CAB_Malvern_Hills_representative Posts: 153 Organisation Representative
    soapy1458 wrote: »
    I've Just had redundancy consultation with my employer who O;ve been with nearly 20 years. I was on maternity leave for a year and was told of this 4 weeks after my return. I came back part time instead of full time. Can my employer do this to me? I thought I would be protected. They had started someone to cover for me but had decided a few months ago to keep him working there anyway. There are big company reorganisations going on and I was told that both our jobs are going because some duties are being centralised . There is a new role being created, so looks like one will be made redundant and one will get applying for the new job. I can see lots about when you are on maternity leave, but not after it. They are using a score sheet to decide who goes Can they do this?:mad:

    HI

    Please have a look at the information on Adviceguide that covers maternity and return to work - in particular the section on return to work after additional maternity leave

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/work_e/work_time_off_work_e/maternity_leave.htm

    You will also see that there is a section on further information which gives contact details for an organisation called Maternity Action which run a helpline on Maternity and Work related issues. You could talk over the situation with them to be clear in your mind how reduancy fits with your current situation ( There is further information regarding redundancy on adviceguide which details in general what procedures an employer should follow). If you feel that there are discrepancies or they arise in the coming weeks you should consider visiting your local CAB for in depth advice from an employment specialist.
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  • soapy1458
    soapy1458 Posts: 10 Forumite
    thank you very much...still reeling !!
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