Maternity leave query

robjf

robjf

robjf

Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2003
Posts
4,577
Location
Derby, UK
Good morning,

My fiancée is currently on maternity leave. We both work at the same organisation and there is a staff event happening (like a Christmas team building day) which she was initially told she would be able to attend. Her boss has just told me (through someone else) that she will not be invited (i haven't told her as this will cause untold upset and grief).

Where do you think we stand on this? Should she be invited? I was under the impression she shouldn't be left out from things like this even if she is on maternity leave?

I would really appreciate some advice as im trying to avoid a very upset new mum!

Thanks

Rob
 
We still invited one of our team members who is on maternity leave, so not sure why they wouldn't invite her.

On an unrelated note, how do you find being in a relationship with a colleague? Obviously not that bad as you're going to wife her, but interested to know. :)
 
She's not at work why would she be invited to a work event?
That's like being off sick, but expecting to be able to go to the company funded Christmas party and then go back to being off sick.
At least that's the way I see it.
 
I knew her before we were colleagues, and we work in different offices so dont really cross paths a great deal.

I just think its ridiculous and will cause a lot of upset.
 
You don't "stand" anywhere, unless invitations to work parties (or whatever kind of event this is) are contractual at your company... sounds like her boss is being a bit weird about it, otherwise he/she would have contacted her directly, but unless she wants to go back and ask why she's been uninvited I don't see what you think you can do?

joelk2 said:
She's still an employee so should still be allowed to come. they cant discriminate due to her being on mat leave
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Not inviting somebody on leave to an optional work event != discrimination.
 
joelk2 said:
She's still an employee so should still be allowed to come. they cant discriminate due to her being on mat leave
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Well I know under NHS terms and conditions if you attend CPD courses while on maternity leave it has truly awful consequences for your pay, as it constitutes a return to work, and by inference your own suspension of your maternity leave. Which is leave you cannot reactivate afterwards.

This is the way it has been for a very long time. Might be the same in the OPs company.
 
robjf said:
Good morning,

My fiancée is currently on maternity leave. We both work at the same organisation and there is a staff event happening (like a Christmas team building day) which she was initially told she would be able to attend. Her boss has just told me (through someone else) that she will not be invited (i haven't told her as this will cause untold upset and grief).

Where do you think we stand on this? Should she be invited? I was under the impression she shouldn't be left out from things like this even if she is on maternity leave?

I would really appreciate some advice as im trying to avoid a very upset new mum!

Thanks

Rob
Click to expand...

I'd get confirmation from the management first - sounds like second hand information, so could be wrong. It may not be, but best to be sure before getting annoyed about it :)
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
She is currently not working, she has a suspension of work, to invite her will end that status, its classed as a return to work.
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It could also be classed as a keeping in touch day.

Or a "boss not being a ****" :p

But then perhaps I'm just spoiled by working for a company that treats its employees with respect.
 
tom_e said:
She's not at work why would she be invited to a work event?
That's like being off sick, but expecting to be able to go to the company funded Christmas party and then go back to being off sick.
At least that's the way I see it.
Click to expand...

Being on maternity leave isn't quite the same as being ill unless you count children as an affliction? A blight on otherwise healthy people... :p

Slightly more seriously, has any reason been given for her not being invited? Since she's intending to return to work after her maternity leave finishes (at least as far as we know) then perhaps you could point out it's probably helpful to maintain company morale by inviting her, she's bound to have colleagues who'd like to see her again and generally the cost of inviting her is going to be less than the effects of having a disgruntled workforce. If there is a good reason why she isn't invited that might be fair enough but at least they should be able to explain it - pregnancy doesn't implicitly mean that she can't or won't want to join in with all socialising.
 
if the company cares about you as employees then they should invite regardless of whether they are in maternity leave or else. it boils down to personal preferences.
 
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