I completed my LLB Degree whilst still in the UK and was offered a job at an auditing firm in South Africa. I worked very hard and after two years I was promoted to Head of the Forensic Audit and Legal Department and acting CEO. I got married and fell pregnant. I then resigned from the firm due to ethical differences I had with management. After giving birth I served as the financial manager for my husband's business and did freelance work as and when available. Last year I had my second child and took up employment with a local advocacy group as a home-based researcher and analyst. My husband has now sorted out all of his affairs and we are ready to move back to the UK. I am now looking for a full-time job with flexibility as I will be sending the kids to daycare, their ages are 3 and 1. My problem is that now I don't know which sector I am qualified to apply in and what level or salary I should be asking for?
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I returned to work last October after taking 9 months off for materninty leave. I have returned part time, working 3 days a week. The lady who was covering my job is now employed full time and on the same 'rank' as me. Since I have returned to work, I have not returned to the same job as the lady who covered my job has taken over full time. Please can you tell me where I stand as to returning to work part time and not to the job I left. I'm sure I am entitled to return to exactly the same job whether I do the job part time or not.
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For the past 16 years I have focused solely on raising my son, and now find myself in a situation of having to look for work. Prior to the birth of my son, I spent time working as a barmaid, and also worked at a petrol station. My interest lies in IT and the Internet, especially the more creative side. I am confident and able to navigate my way around a computer, despite a lack of formal qualifications to prove this. I haven't a clue how to go about creating a CV that will appeal to a potential employer. I am not a member of any clubs or organisations. For the past few years I have been dealing with physical and mental health issue, and attend regularly attend health-related appointments (at least once a week). Because of my health issues, I feel that I would be better suited to a job that enabled me to work from home, and wouldn't get in the way of my medical appointments. There are days when my health issues cause me to feel so drowsy that I am incapable of anything other than sleeping, so I know this would need to be taken into consideration too. I need some advice because I don't know where to go from here.
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I started temping for a company in April 2008 and became a permanent member in July the same year. I became pregnant and started maternity leave in February this year. I am now looking at my options of returning to work or becoming a stay at home mother. If I was to return to this job, it would take one and a half hours travel time each way as we have since moved house and would mean I would not see my son during the week. My company wouldn't allow me flexible hours or working from home when I was pregnant, so I doubt they will allow it now. I was unhappy at work and it seemed everyone else was allowed to be flexible and received perks whilst I was ignored, so I'm not expecting miracles. They have recently requested a return to work meeting and I am not sure how to proceed as I am unsure about what to do and what I want. Do I have to go or can this be resolved by letter/email where everything is recorded? If they do refuse to be flexible, what should happen next - do I resign, will I be made redundant or will it be whoever gives in first? The company also paid me extra maternity pay and I can keep it if I return to work and have to pay it back if I don't. What would happen to this if I am to be made redundant through their choice?
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I am currently on maternity leave which is due to end the second week of September, and I did inform my employer that I would be taking additional maternity leave until January 2011. Although since I have been on maternity leave the company have been sold and the office I worked in has been relocated to an area out of my remit with a young baby! My company has made me aware that the office has relocated and sent a letter to me informing me that the consultation of an office move was taking place. I have since decided to return to work earlier than planned and, will be informing my employer that I will be looking to come back to work in October 2010... although the new office location is not accesible for me.Where do I stand? Should I be in receipt of redundancy from my employer due to the relocation (I have been employed for four years and two months approx).
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