Hi all, this is a long one so please bear with me.
I have been back at work about 3 weeks after being on maternity leave. When I returned I was in the other building than where I was before. My job was transport and now it’s sitting at a desk answering calls and doing “bits” that need to be done in the office (ie things that someone will eventually get around to but doesn’t have time).
Long story short the owner approached me and asked if it would suit me better to do 2 days a week instead of 3 which I replied no as I’m happy doing the 3 and doing 2 wouldn’t be worth my while. He then proceeded to ask could I not sign on. I also moved further away on mat leave and he asked was there no jobs around there which I also replied not that I’m aware of.
I then sent an email to him and my manager explaining that I feel pushed aside as I'm not in my previous role and sent a document of the WRC maternity protection and could we have a meeting to talk things through.
I got no reply but the owner cornered me on my own again. He said he didn’t know if I would return to the job, that the girl that covered my maternity is doing a great job and he thought he would have more for me to do over here. He also stated that I’m still getting paid. I told him I didn’t think this was appropriate and that we should have a meeting which he ignored. He then proceeded asking am I going to sue them. I then chased down my manager and tried talking to him. He has basically said it’s the same role as what I was doing and that they employed the girl covering before I went on mat leave wasn’t employed to cover my maternity. I pointed out that she was employed for that as I trained her in and that she had a fixed contract like everyone else and yes she could be kept on but could job share or something with me.
They aren’t budging and said they will have a meeting in another 4 weeks to see how things are going etc. that I have to bear with them as they are trying to keep everyone happy and find jobs to keep me going. I have sobbed in work and at home and feel degraded as a woman who only had a baby and was pushed aside because of it. I said if I hadn’t gone on mat leave that I would still be doing that job and I was told not necessarily.
Sorry if the post is all over the place but I’m so annoyed, upset and want to tell them to shove their job but it’s about principle now. I also have colleagues that are shocked at how I’ve been treated and have advised me to seek legal advice.
I have been back at work about 3 weeks after being on maternity leave. When I returned I was in the other building than where I was before. My job was transport and now it’s sitting at a desk answering calls and doing “bits” that need to be done in the office (ie things that someone will eventually get around to but doesn’t have time).
Long story short the owner approached me and asked if it would suit me better to do 2 days a week instead of 3 which I replied no as I’m happy doing the 3 and doing 2 wouldn’t be worth my while. He then proceeded to ask could I not sign on. I also moved further away on mat leave and he asked was there no jobs around there which I also replied not that I’m aware of.
I then sent an email to him and my manager explaining that I feel pushed aside as I'm not in my previous role and sent a document of the WRC maternity protection and could we have a meeting to talk things through.
I got no reply but the owner cornered me on my own again. He said he didn’t know if I would return to the job, that the girl that covered my maternity is doing a great job and he thought he would have more for me to do over here. He also stated that I’m still getting paid. I told him I didn’t think this was appropriate and that we should have a meeting which he ignored. He then proceeded asking am I going to sue them. I then chased down my manager and tried talking to him. He has basically said it’s the same role as what I was doing and that they employed the girl covering before I went on mat leave wasn’t employed to cover my maternity. I pointed out that she was employed for that as I trained her in and that she had a fixed contract like everyone else and yes she could be kept on but could job share or something with me.
They aren’t budging and said they will have a meeting in another 4 weeks to see how things are going etc. that I have to bear with them as they are trying to keep everyone happy and find jobs to keep me going. I have sobbed in work and at home and feel degraded as a woman who only had a baby and was pushed aside because of it. I said if I hadn’t gone on mat leave that I would still be doing that job and I was told not necessarily.
Sorry if the post is all over the place but I’m so annoyed, upset and want to tell them to shove their job but it’s about principle now. I also have colleagues that are shocked at how I’ve been treated and have advised me to seek legal advice.