Change of hours after maternity leave

[SannyG]

Currently on maternity leave from 17hpw contract. Full timer left and the office is trialling different work patterns. Whilst I appreciate that my 17 hpw have to be given to me on my return from additional mat leave can they change my hours of work? Basically I work mornings and all my childcare is based on that. If they changed me to afternoons I would not be able to return.

[POSTMAN]

Not 100% but I'm pretty sure you have the right to come back to the exact same job plus the same times of attendance and work hrs as when you went on Mat leave.

Even if say there was a revision you still have the right to pick your duty as per your seniority.
Have you had a revision, if no then they seem to be trying to pull a fast one.
Rep/area rep on the case etc?

While RM is kinda different, say you worked in an office they would normally get a temp to cover your job while you are on leave, ready for you to step straight back into it when you come back.

EDIT:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/ ... n-it-ends/

Returning to your job

You have a right to return to work after your maternity leave.

You’ve been on maternity leave for 26 weeks or less
You’re entitled to return to the same job after maternity leave if you’ve been away 26 weeks or less. Your pay and conditions must be the same as or better than if you hadn’t gone on maternity leave.

It’s unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination if your employer says you can’t return to the same job. You can take steps to resolve an unfair dismissal, starting with talking to your employer. Contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you need any help.

You’ve been on maternity leave for more 26 weeks

It’s unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination if your employer doesn’t let you return to work after maternity leave, or if they offer you a different job without a strong reason. They can’t offer you a different job if:

your job still exists - for example if they’ve given it to someone else
your job would still exist if you hadn’t gone on maternity leave
the new job isn’t something you could do
the new job has worse conditions or pay than yours did - for example if you used to work part-time, and the new job would be full-time only

[SannyG]

Many thanks for the reply. Have contacted rep for advice. Bit s**t having to worry about this 6 weeks post birth tbh. Reorganisation due to full time staff member leaving and trying different systems in a small office to better cover workload. If I had been at work I could of had an opinion on the change of my role from mornings to afternoons. Because I wasn’t there they just moved my mat leave cover to afternoons without keeping me informed at all. They know full well I can’t work afternoons but the lack of response to my request for clarification is making me nervous!

[ImogenM]

I'm not sure if you've already been in touch with them already, but if not then the organisation Pregnant Then Screwed offer advice and campaign on situations like this: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com