End of contract

[JanieB]

I went on a staff training course in London last week, only to be told that my contract will not be renewed at the end of May.

To be fair I knew I was covering maternity leave. However, the woman concerned has not specified that she is definitely coming back to work. The assumption is that she is as she has applied for parental leave for the whole of August

I know it's legal but....she not only took her statuary maternity leave, she has now taken additional maternity leave, added on the accrued holiday. and before she returns work, has already applied for parental leave.
This is a serious pi$$ take.

I love my job. I've only had two jobs in my life that I really want to get up in the morning for, and this is the best. The money's not great but acceptable.

I have been offered another job in the same place, but I know I will be dragged into my old job when they are short-staffed (at the lower rate).

I might be doing the wrong thing (I often do) but I have decided to retire and wait and see what happens.

What would others do?

[Marthaclematis]

I would hang fire... this lady may not come back. It doesn't seem that she wants to as she keeps extending her leave, she's probably praying for a way not to come back ever. And as they say 'possession is nine tenths of the law'. If she doesn't come back and you retire they'll give the job to someone else and you'll kick yourself.
Also, she may want to reduce her hours or work different days - which might mean she's more suitable to a job in a different department. Anything can happen. Until she's back and placing her mug where yours is now I would keep my fingers crossed.

[Alice]

JanieB, I don't know what you mean when you say you have decided to retire and wait and see what happens. If you retire nothing happens, except you get your pension if you are retiring age.
I'd be inclined to carry on with the status quo and see what happens. This woman might never come back. Good luck.

[JanieB]

JanieB, I don't know what you mean when you say you have decided to retire and wait and see what happens. If you retire nothing happens, except you get your pension if you are retiring age.
I'd be inclined to carry on with the status quo and see what happens. This woman might never come back. Good luck.

Exactly. I technically retired 2 years ago...BUT my step-children didn't agree with their fathers disposition of his assets. They took me to court, I won but it cost me 6K more than I had. Also, a condition is that our house reverts to them on my death. In the meantime I'm required to rebuild the kitchen and put the house into good decorative order. I need to work to keep a roof over my head.

I really resent being chucked back into the temp system because the law allows mums to take the pi$$.

[NOG]

I would start worring about it in May....the world could end before then.

[Marthaclematis]

I think that what maternity rights we do have in this country (which are still behind our neighbours in northern europe) have been very hard won. Far from women being able to take the p1ss I think we still have some way to go. That goes for dads too - they are even further behind than their male counterparts in more forward thinking companies. And if this lady hadn't taken advantage of what is available to her you wouldn't have been in the job this long... I thought you might be pleased? Or do you think she should have been sacked by now?

[JanieB]

I think that what maternity rights we do have in this country (which are still behind our neighbours in northern europe) have been very hard won. Far from women being able to take the p1ss I think we still have some way to go. That goes for dads too - they are even further behind than their male counterparts in more forward thinking companies. And if this lady hadn't taken advantage of what is available to her you wouldn't have been in the job this long... I thought you might be pleased? Or do you think she should have been sacked by now?

Difficult argument. I'm 61 and have worked all my life. I didn't get the advantages that mothers get now.

I absolutely agree with their benefits, however, I do think that only giving a company four weeks notice after 52 weeks leave is somewhat difficult for the company and leaves the staff covering the work in an unacceptable situation.

[Hilary B]

I'm gonna upset a few people here. If a woman wants a career (as opposed to a pleasant way of earning a living) why have a child in the first place? Brinigng up a child properly IS a career! You can have a 'way to earn money' as well, but it can't be a 'career', because that implies a priority which should go to the child!
On another aspect, employers do need the right to know what to expect, so they can plan ahead, otherwise they may be out of business, and that will simply be a lot LESS jobs around......

[ixi1456]

I have been offered another job in the same place, but I know I will be dragged into my old job when they are short-staffed (at the lower rate)

i would stick with it and see what happens as you would not loose out in the long term as you would still be getting paid as of not.also i dont think by law that they can lower your wage they can put it up but not take it down unless it is a separate extra payment like time and motion bonus for that particulare job then they can stop that payment becouse your not doing it but i should check with acas http://http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461 and good luck

[allotmentlady]

why not have a chat with your boss first and let them know your feelings?