THE
WORKING 
MUM
COLLECTIVE

My employer refused to let me do any KIT days, and then ignored my flexible working request because ‘they didn’t want anyone in the team doing that’. There needs to be more education on how things like this are managed, complete ignorance of any statutory rights and process!

When I was pregnant I was told that I wouldn’t be put on a key piece of work as it would run into my maternity leave. The project didn’t end up running as expected, so there was no need to exclude me.

After annoucing that I was pregnant, my job was hired into permanently. I have been removed from org charts and distribution lists and it is like I am no longer part of the team. I am worried about what role there is for me when I return from maternity leave (if there even is one).

I had a call from a Manager after announcing I was pregnant. She congratulated me for timing my pregnancy so well, highlighting that if I had got pregnant any earlier, I wouldn’t have been entitled to paid maternity leave. Awkward.

A new manager joined my team and within her first 6 weeks, she had asked me if I was pregnant at least 3 times! Not only that, when the answer was no, she wanted to know when I was planning on having more children...

I had been asking for a promotion for months and was told I would be promoted by the end of the year. A few months later, I announced that I was pregnant, and all talks for a promotion stopped despite my objectives being reached. My review kept being rescheduled and a week before I gave birth I found out I didn’t get the promotion I was promised. Someone else was hired to take my position so if I go back after maternity leave I will have to learn a completely new area of the business while balancing returning to work.

My Manager recently told me that I need to find alternative childcare for the time my toddler is unwell (we’ve had a bit of sickness this winter). Really tricky as I don’t have family locally, and I already spend over £2,000 a month on nursery. I’m not expecting additional time off, I just want a bit of compassion and the ability to work flexibility to ensure the job is done.

My team were looking for someone to make quarterly trips to Europe, for a few days at a time. My name was never in the mix as It was assumed that I ‘wouldn’t want to travel with young children at home.’ At least ask me, maybe I’d value the experience, and the occasional time away…

A few months after returning from maternity leave I was put on formal capability, which I managed to revoke - this was my third year of teaching, my first was broken by covid/remote teaching, and my second I went on maternity leave. My maternity leave cover was kept on and I believe they have been trying to get rid of me since. It has destroyed my confidence and made me question whether I want to return to teaching. Aswell as dealing with stress from work, I was also dealing with fresh grief. I have gone on sick leave due to anxiety and burnout. I don't know what to do about my future.

My employer refused to let me do any KIT days, and then ignored my flexible working request because ‘‘they didn’t want anyone in the team doing that.’