Advice & Support

Self-employed and pregnant. What are my rights?: ask the expert

Self-employed and pregnant. What are my rights?: ask the expert

I have been a self employed agent with a company from earlier this year and have signed a yearly contract with them starting from that date. I have found out that I am pregnant and the baby is due in the autumn. I haven't told my principal yet as I am waiting on scan and test results coming back. I know I will be entitled to Maternity Allowance, but I would like to know what my rights are regarding my contract as I am fit and healthy and wish to continue working right up to my due date and returning after minimum maternity leave. Do the company need to keep me on? Will they still pay my commission during my maternity leave and also do they have to keep the position open for me to return after the baby? 

Discussion: 0 comments

Read Story

Job taken away on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

Job taken away on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

I have just gone back to work five days ago after additional maternity leave and found out my job is no longer available for me, and from office job as a clerk they moved me to a warehouse job, stocktaking. My old job is no longer a full-time job and somebody else is doing in the meantime in addition to other duties. However, I asked a while ago for a part-time job and they told me it was a full-time job. I feel so upset. If I had known all this, I wouldn't have come back from my maternity. Should they have let me know about changes before I started or is it right to tell me on my second day back at work?

Discussion: 0 comments

Read Story

Job likely to be lost on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

Job likely to be lost on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

I am returning to work from maternity leave soon and was told that my role is being merged with a similar one (just in a different region) and that I'd be interviewing for the new bigger role on my return. My concern is that I am in competition with the person who covered my maternity and managed the two regions for a year, the same person who is supposed to bring me up to speed on my return. I feel this is therefore lip service and I have no real chance to get the new job. I will lose my large team of people and a career I've been building for years. The person who doesn't get the job will be found or given time to find another role. It is unlikely it'll be managing a big team which is what I love about my job; it's more likely doing project type work. I'm so disappointed this is happening and don't see any alternative than just to do the interview, lose my job and take whatever's offered. How can this be fair in this day and age? Thanks in advance for your help.

Discussion: 0 comments

Read Story

Old job taken away on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

Old job taken away on return from maternity leave: ask the expert

I took maternity leave from my job as a manager. I did a few keep in touch days to do pieces of work only I can do and returned to work after 9 months. I had lots of holiday so I could spread my return over a month. This was all agreed in writing. When I returned I did not get my old job back. I was strung various lines of how if they did then the people who were covering for me wouldn't have any work to do. I was told I would have a new area, but this has never materialised. The department I used to be responsible for is now with the lady I used to line manage and she has refused to discuss work with me. I have been polite and compliant, but it has been six months now and I still do not have a job with similar responsibilities. At least my pay has remained the same. I am constantly asking for work and getting lots of odd jobs done. I was informed on Friday that I will be issued with a notice of redundancy soon as they are restructuring a department. That department was nothing to do with me before I went on maternity leave! I am not even part of it now. No notice has been given yet, but I have been informed I will have to apply for one of the 2 jobs available (3 people are being issued with redundancy notices). What is more frustrating is since I went on maternity leave 4 people have been hired on permanent contracts - one of whom does half my old job! Another is on a bigger salary than mine doing work I could easily do. I feel I am being discriminated against and unfairly treated. If as a result of the redundancy/restructuring I am not in a suitable role and find myself redundant I will want to take action - would I have a case? Also in my last appraisal I exceeded expectations, I have never had any concern expressed about my work and the company seem very pleased with what I am doing...

Discussion: 1 comments

Read Story

Maternity leave covered by more junior person: ask the expert

Maternity leave covered by more junior person: ask the expert

I am 32 weeks pregnant, my maternity leave is due to start at week 36. Currently, my employers are looking to cover my maternity leave with a much junior role, which is part time. Can they do this? And where does this leave me, on my return? I'm worried that they will see this as an opportunity to make me redundant.

Discussion: 1 comments

Read Story