maternity advice

[Ozzy0103]

Does anyone on here know exactly when an employer can change terms and conditions of employment following ordinary maternity leave (26 weeks). I know they can't do anything to my conditions immediately following my return but is there a time limit on this.
they have already taken some of my responsibilities away from me which I didn't think was allowed following OML.
any advice / info is gratefully received

[Celestine]

Re: maternity advice

Good morning Ozzy

How long have you been back at work? What changes have they made and are they trying to reduce your hours?

Try giving Maternity Action a call, they have a free confidential advice line and they will be able to advise you specifically what is allowed and what isn't.

http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/advice-line/ If you have questions about your maternity rights, call us on 0845 600 8533 to talk to our advisers.

Good luck xxx

[Ozzy0103]

Re: maternity advice

Hi,
I'm returning on 8th August. They have said that on my return to work they will be reviewing my home working. I currently work 2 out of 5 days from home. My manager hasn't given a business reason for this except that he doesn't like or agree with it.
He has also taken some management areas off me and given it to a new role. All this was discussed in a KIT day without an HR partner present.
i have phoned ACAS for advice but I will phone maternity action too.
thanks

[Openlaw15]

Re: maternity advice

Does anyone on here know exactly when an employer can change terms and conditions of employment following ordinary maternity leave (26 weeks). I know they can't do anything to my conditions immediately following my return but is there a time limit on this.
they have already taken some of my responsibilities away from me which I didn't think was allowed following OML.
any advice / info is gratefully received

Hello, Ozzy0103

If you have suffered any detriment it's possible you have a claim for victimisation and or direct discrimination. In your case you have lost your responsibilities, have other female or male employees also lost their responsibilities for instance owing to changes in your employer's business. If not, said claims are possible.

[Ozzy0103]

Re: maternity advice

Hi,
There has been a couple of redundancies and a little re-jigging within departments but my job is pretty much stand alone (sole health and safety and project management). But the business has not changed.
i was told by a couple of people while I've been off that if I hadn't of been pregnant my job would have been made redundant which is why I'm anxious about everything. The reduced responsibilities to me makes me think they are marginalising my role to either downgrade me or make me leave. I know I have to see how my first few days back go and minute every meeting with my line manager.

[Openlaw15]

Re: maternity advice

Hi,
There has been a couple of redundancies and a little re-jigging within departments but my job is pretty much stand alone (sole health and safety and project management). But the business has not changed.
i was told by a couple of people while I've been off that if I hadn't of been pregnant my job would have been made redundant which is why I'm anxious about everything. The reduced responsibilities to me makes me think they are marginalising my role to either downgrade me or make me leave. I know I have to see how my first few days back go and minute every meeting with my line manager.

I think this is breach of contract/ constructive dismissal. It may be in your interest to have an informal conversation with your line-manager as to your legitimate complaints about the changes in your job role/ responsibilities. Your next option if this is not helpful for you is to take the company to a tribunal for breach of contract, or if you leave the job for constructive dismissal. Make sure you have representation with you in any formal hearings, ie a grievance, by way of a union official or other work colleague.

[Nomoneynoproblem]

Re: maternity advice

Hi Ozzy0103

No changes can be made to your existing terms and condition without going through a formal consultation process. You mentioned you had a meeting during a KIT day what form or shape did this meeting take. Technically there is nothing stopping an employer deleting a pregnant employee's role whilst on maternity however how risky this is they would have to ensure they have met their legal obligation.

I hope this helps.

Regards
NMNP

[Ozzy0103]

Re: maternity advice

HI NMNP,
Thank you for your info.
I'm in my second week back to work now and so far my line manager hasn't mentioned my home working days since my return although my Unison have said I should write to him about having some clarity over the business reasons for suggesting the change and also asking why they have changed some of my responsibilities (they advertised some of my responsibilities on a recent job advert)!
My KIT day was just a meeting with my line manager stating the changes that had occurred since I went off and to mention about home working and my changing responsibilities.
I have my appraisal on Wednesday which will be interesting!
Thank you for your help.

[Nomoneynoproblem]

Re: maternity advice

HI NMNP,
Thank you for your info.
I'm in my second week back to work now and so far my line manager hasn't mentioned my home working days since my return although my Unison have said I should write to him about having some clarity over the business reasons for suggesting the change and also asking why they have changed some of my responsibilities (they advertised some of my responsibilities on a recent job advert)!
My KIT day was just a meeting with my line manager stating the changes that had occurred since I went off and to mention about home working and my changing responsibilities.
I have my appraisal on Wednesday which will be interesting!
Thank you for your help.

Hi Ozzy,

Keep us posted.

Regards

NMNP

[Ozzy0103]

Re: maternity advice

Hi,
I've been told my home working days will be reviewed in 6 months internally by my line manager. He still never gave me a business reason for this but said it would be measured on my output.
I have a feeling he will take one day off me from some of the things he said but we will see. I am keeping my union up to date with everything.