Promotion whilst on maternity leave

[BlaireUK]

Any HR specialists out there.... Or anyone with experience of my situation?

I'm 11-weeks into maternity leave and planning to take 9-months off in total. Back April next year.

I applied and was interviewed for a promoted post last week. I've known about the post and intended to apply for it for over a year now so I the fact that I was on maternity leave was a side issue for me (tho a total pain in the neck with a new baby to contend with alongside application and interview prep!)

I got a call from hr this morning to say I was the highest scored and successful candidate. It constituted a verbal offer which was followed up by an e-mailed offer a few hours later.

I have a question I wonder if anyone can help with? For reference I work in the UK public sector.

As an internal candidate I am under the impression my promotion would be effective immediately/soon and not at the end of my maternity leave as hr implied (isn't that discrimination)? She specifically said the contract would be issued to me with 'tbc' for a start date until I give them a return to work date?

 

[My_First]

Have you asked for it to be effective immediately? Because unless you ask, they cannot decline if you know what I mean? Maybe go back and say right, I have had a think about my start date and I would like it to be effective as of now".

 

[BlaireUK]

Thanks, yes I have done and they are away checking what the procedure is! That was a week ago

I think it's pretty simple. Any other internal candidate would have an immediate start date. Therefore so should I. It also allows them to make the post available for maternity cover.

I was just unclear whether it was something that was stipulated in legislation.