Maternity leave employment bridge for 401k

[ricetimes2]

I was working for my employer for a year and 2 months before going on maternity leave June 1st, 2014. I returned to work on October 1st, 2014 part time. I came back to work full time on January 5th, 2015. In January of this year my employer initiated a 401k plan where they would match your contribution up to 3% of your salary if you had been employed there for over a year. They are stating I am not eligible for this because my employment date was January 5th, 2015 and the time that I worked there before that doesn't count because I left on maternity leave. Is this legal? I was never terminated and never signed any sort of termination leave paperwork.

[des8]

Re: Maternity leave employment bridge for 401k

Hi and welcome.
From the terminology you use (401k plan) I assume you are based in the USA.
This is a UK based forum, and it could well be that laws regarding maternity leave are different.
In the uk we refer to Personal Pension Plans.
I wish you well, but suggest you obtain advice locally.