Covering maternity leave which has come to an end - HELP!

[MistressKatherine]

I've been covering for a lady who has been on maternity for eight months. I've been officially told she's not coming back and they will be advertising her job. I've worked so damn hard, given up my life outside of work, effectively taken a paycut to do this job. I love it and want to stay, which they know.

The trouble is my bosses are shits and it's a cut throat industry. They wouldn't think twice about ditching me for someone else despite the fact i think ive done a good job. They've told me there are loads of good candidates (even though they haven't even advertised yet) and aren't making any encouraging noises.

I feel so down and such a mug. I know there's little i can do other than keep plowing on and keep doing my best. But its really upsetting to not feel appreciated and to think I'm going to lose the position.

Sorry for moaning. Any advice or help would really be welcome.

[Lunastarfish]

If you have been employed for less than 2 years then you have no legal entitlement to pursue a claim for unfair dismissal. There are a few exceptions to this rule but based on what you said, I doubt they'd apply.

Perhaps raise a grievance but if the employer is that poor, do you realy want to work for them?

[Unexpected]

Lunastarfish I don't think the OP is thinking about unfair dismissal nor should she as she has been employed as a maternity cover, presumably on a fixed-term contract. On what basis would she be raising a grievance? The fact that a role which she has been doing for a fixed term has now become available permanently and it is not automatically being handed to her?

OP, it's upsetting when a job into which you have thrown yourself and done well is then given to someone else permanently. However, it was your choice originally to give up your life outside of work and take a pay cut to do this role. If the original employee came back, you would have been in exactly the same situation as now. Although you say you enjoy the job, do you really want to work for a company where the bosses are "shits" and value you so little?

[scottishmummy]

Hang on,where is the ground for grievance?shes on FTC cover mat leave
Employer can legitimately look for other candidates,it's not automatic shoe in
Op should apply,be competitively interviewed like everyone else.that is fair

[scottishmummy]

If the bosses are shit as you say,why would you want to remain
You should have hoped,relied on getting the post.best to keep option open
Start to look fir other posts too,if yiu want this post apply.but you've not been treated unfairly that they're opening it to other candidates

[flowery]

Yes I'm not sure where unfair dismissal and grievance come in to this.

It's disappointing they are not making encouraging noises but they obviously feel for whatever reason that they don't want to just appoint you without looking at what else is out there. They perhaps feel that recruiting a permanent role rather than maternity cover will elicit more applications.

Yes, if a maternity cover has been fantastic sometimes employers will be certain he/she is the best person and won't bother recruiting for the permanent role, so it's a bit demoralising to realise that isn't the situation, but there's nothing wrong with their decision.

OP you need to decide whether you want to stay and apply for the role, or whether you want to move on anyway. Either way, if you haven't done so already, you need to be looking at other options. Hopefully somewhere you feel a bit more appreciated!

[Groovee]

I had been working in a position as temp and I didn't get the permanent job earlier this year and I am gutted. It's made me decide to leave altogether and do something completely different as I felt gutted I didn't get it despite all the hard work I have put in.

[BackforGood]

I would just presume that they are letting you know they will be advertising it and selecting whoever appears to be the best candidate - as any sensible business would, surely.
that's not to say it won't be you, just that you are not a 'shoe-in'.
Until they know who else applies, you don't know, by interview stage you might be the best candidate.

[maggiethemagpie]

Sometimes employers want to benchmark. They are probably thinking that they want to see what's out there. you may well still have a very strong advantage over external candidates.

Then again, it could be a sign that they have decided you are not for them long term. It happens. Look at it this way you now have new experience which you can market and (hopefully) get a permanent position elsewhere.

What kind of feedback have you had from them so far, has it been favourable? Are you aware of any issues?

[MistressKatherine]

Thanks everyone.

I'm not looking to raise a grievance, like many of you have said the company isn't doing anything wrong. I'm just disappointed my hard work doesn't seem to have come across and that i'll most likely be leaving a job I've enjoyed. I was expecting the person who i was covering for to come back so knew i would have to go back to where i originally was. It was a surprise hearing she wasn't and then another one that the bosses don't seem to want me to stay. They hadn't raised any concerns or problems about my work.

Sorry for posting. Was just extremely disappointed and couldn't really talk to anyone in RL as it was getting me down. Thanks for the advice.