Maternity Leave/pgy news

I am returning to work after maternity leave. I work in a sme which is under alot of economic pressure. I had ALOT of hastle towards the end of my pgy which wasn't pleasant.

To summarise - I gave my employers notice of maternity leave. I'm embarrassed to say I concealed my pgy to that stage as I knew what the reaction would be. Was told it wasn't going to be feasible for me to work with 3 kids. I pointed out that this was my decision not theirs. They countered I live too far away (in 6 years I always have and there has never been an issue with my time keeping).

I work part time and suddenly I was going to need to work full time - this is without any big improvement in business or any indication that my work wasn't fully up to date to this stage. (they knew I couldn't and were hoping I'd admit defeat and leave). My company car was switched that night. From something with 4 wheel drive to a car with no 4wd and a puncture which I was left to sort. Nightmare in icy conditions last december and at 32 weeks.

I was dreading returning to work on the Monday but circumstances change quickly, I ended up becoming v with preenclampsia ill that weekend and having my baby early.

I'm back in work this week but employer is away so I've worked longer hours then usual. However realistically the work isn't there so am hoping to go back to our normal arrangement of 3 days which was as per before ml. However its been indicated that this isn't acceptable and I may also have to take a pay cut.

Where do I stand? DH wants me to take a case against them but as I've said earlier the place is on its knees and may not survive that long and really all I want is resumption of normal before pgy without having to fight to hold my job.

You have to return to substantially the same job as you had before your leave and you would have a good case if they messed you around for pregnancy reasons. I would check up on your rights and talk to them along those lines. Ensure that they know that you know your rights, and also that you want to continue working for them, so want to sort it out amicably.

If the company is on its knees, brush up your CV too... The won't sack you (unless they are very stupid) but if the future of the company is uncertain you need a plan B.

Sounds like a dodgy company to me. What does your contract state by the way: 3 day week or full time?

Having three kids is none of their business and it's especially inappropriate to say you're not able to work cause of them. Very cheeky of them. Same with distance traveling. As long as you're on time in work every day, it's none of their business if you live around the corner or hours away from work.

Economic pressure or not, there are rules & regulations every employer has to follow. I'd contact NERA to ask for their advice tbh.

Might be worth calling The Equality Authority for advice.

Whats pgy?

ajapale said:

Whats pgy?

Click to expand...

I thought it had something to do with someone wearing a pyjamas while at work, but that one have been PJS, but then I google it and eventually found it, it turns out to be PREGNANCY = PGY, should have known this straight away too

Pretty soon we'll have titles like Mtrnty lv / pgy nws, won't that be fun!

dahamsta said:

Pretty soon we'll have titles like Mtrnty lv / pgy nws

Click to expand...

No we !

Sorry too much using of parenting sites and with one handed typing due to breastfeeding little one (see I didn't type bfing lo ;-) lalalala too much information!

Thanks for the advice. I'm back and was prompty put on a one day week - but they want it worked over two half days :-0.

My original contract was for full time but its 3 years since that was practice. I used to work 3 days over 4 days so it meant being home earlier in the evening to help with homework and giving them better cover over a longer time period during the week so while they mightn't be very happy employing a mother at least I've been flexible.

TBH the new arrangment in the short term will suit, it'll give me something I've never had with my kids - time so no major upset. Though himself indoors reckons its a change in tactic and they are trying to strangle me financially so I'll leave on my own accord. Possibly but for the summer it suits. But I've updated my cv and am scouting to get some additional information on retraining for Sept as my middle guy will be starting school.

Now I just need to see where business/accountancy qualifications and 18 years sme experience goes next?

Have you informed the company that the 1 day is not acceptable to you? You can then set up a temporary one day a week arrangement but you need to have it documented (take some advice on that). They have offered you a different job back to the one you had, and this is against the law. If you will not be able to make a living because of this, then you need to do something now and not at the end of the summer, by which time you may well find your position is much weakened.

I have the feeling your other half is right, and I would strongly advise you not to throw away your rights without at least making your employer aware that you know what they are.