What to do about work??*long*

[Lyndsey]

Hello everyone,

I wasn't sure where to put this so if it is in the wrong place then I am sorry!

I work for a small company (approx 25 staff) who advises on Occupational Health( Getting people back to work!) However they are crap at looking after their own emplyees. I feel like I have been given the sack whilst on Maternity ( handing back my badge etc, being told not to go to work as I cause too much disruption etc)

When I got pregnant and had to advise them on my mat leave etc, I told them that I wanted to take my full maternty allowance so my return to work is planned for November. However if they would consider part time working I would go back sooner. I didn't have a meeting to discuss this but I did have a letter saying I was taking full mat leave and my return date was November. Since I left work (September - I was off sick for a while I have had no contact at all. not even a congratulations card!!!

This week , the childminder that I had lined up ( a family friend ) told me she couldn't have Logan in November, so I am now stuck with trying to find a childminder ... I have asked work if part time working is feasable and they have told me that they cannot make this decision until September at the earliest and even then they will not make a decision on my hours/days worked until closer to the time.

HOW do I book a childminder to look after Logan when I don't know what days/hours I will need him looking after for! Am I being really thick??? How do you other mums out there sort this type of thing out? How did you all return to work after having kids?????????

 

[Hypnorm]

It doesn't sound like they are going to be very sympathetic or understanding when you do go back to work, especially if little one is ill and you have to take time off.

Personally i would reconsider working for this company and find one who is a bit more sympathetic!

 

[tuck]

I can understand what you're sayiong but I can also understand where your employers are coming from in not being able to give you a decision on your part time working, they may not yet know what their staffing requirements will be in November and if they can accomodate part time hours.
I would advise that you put in writing your request for part time working, what days/hours that you wish to work and when you want to start these, ask them for a response as you need to make childcare arrangements.

Your employers should have a keep in touch arrangement with you for the whole period that you are absent from work as well, do your employers have any policies regarding this?

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/view ... hp?eny=486

 

[Lyndsey]

hi,

I understand what your saying hypnorm and I am begining to think that way to.... and tuck - no they do not have a policy on keeping in touch it was made clear to me that getting pregnant was a major inconvinience and I was not to come into the office with my baby as it would disrupt things!!! Like I said I feel like I have been given the sack!

I have had an e-mailed reply back that was very curt telling me I had confused the director, so I have replied and said I find e-mails impersonal and misleading hence me asking for an informal meeting....

 

[tuck]

If you decide to leave this job you could have a case for constructive dismissal, even though they wont have actually dismissed you they have made it impossible to work there any longer. If you do not get anywhere with the meeting you have requested I would contact an employment lawyer and see what they think about discrimination and /or constructive dismissal.

I found this link for the Equal Opportunities Commission which may help


http://www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=15308 (I hope the link works)