Lay off, right after maternity leave

[Anonymous]

Stick it out or get busy applying and networking?

Literally came back from maternity leave (unpaid) yesterday. I even came back early at request of executive (took 8 weeks post c-section). Was told I'm getting a new title and job description that barely matches my skill. And strong possibility of lay off between May-September. Apparently my job duties were given to another person and now I'm superfluous... (Company is huge...so small business excuse doesn't apply).

It's not my performance. I had a great review 2 days before maternity leave.

So I have a newborn and not sleeping and need to figure out if it's worth staying til pink slip or say "screw it" and look as hard as possible / take 1st thing. I didn't love my job but the money and commute were great. I don't see that combo out in the market.

Ideas?

[Anonymous]

Talk to your boss. Is there any position that you will qualify for within the company?

[Anonymous]

Talk to a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a lawyer.

+1. And dont' say anything that isn't noncommittal about the situation. Write down exactly what you were told now before you forget the details.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stick it out or get busy applying and networking?

Literally came back from maternity leave (unpaid) yesterday. I even came back early at request of executive (took 8 weeks post c-section). Was told I'm getting a new title and job description that barely matches my skill. And strong possibility of lay off between May-September. Apparently my job duties were given to another person and now I'm superfluous... (Company is huge...so small business excuse doesn't apply).

It's not my performance. I had a great review 2 days before maternity leave.

So I have a newborn and not sleeping and need to figure out if it's worth staying til pink slip or say "screw it" and look as hard as possible / take 1st thing. I didn't love my job but the money and commute were great. I don't see that combo out in the market.

Ideas?

That really stinks, I'm sorry. I would definitely stick around until they fire so you can get unemployment. Taking the 1st thing that comes up may be a mistake, plus with a newborn it'll be even more difficult.

[Anonymous]

Definitely talk to a lawyer. This might be legal, but there is a decent chance it is not, so talk to someone who knows the details of your situation.

For now, keep the job AND network like hell. While raising an 8-week old, which I know is about three full time jobs.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a lawyer.

+1. And dont' say anything that isn't noncommittal about the situation. Write down exactly what you were told now before you forget the details.

+2 Were you eligible for FMLA? If so, what they are doing is illegal. Check out the "Eligibility" and "Job Restoration" subheadings here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm#11

[Anonymous]

Yep, talk to a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Op here - I was on FMLA.

My coworker said lay off could come as early as 2/1. It could be lots of people but my situation is unique because had I not gone on leave, I would have more security in the new org chart..

It's just really shitty. Now I only have a month. If that was the case I wouldn't have come back early and would have made other child care arrangements so I don't have to pay for childcare that I can't afford while unemployed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - I was on FMLA.

My coworker said lay off could come as early as 2/1. It could be lots of people but my situation is unique because had I not gone on leave, I would have more security in the new org chart..

It's just really shitty. Now I only have a month. If that was the case I wouldn't have come back early and would have made other child care arrangements so I don't have to pay for childcare that I can't afford while unemployed.

This is exactly what the FMLA is designed to protect you from. Your job/security/status is not supposed to change because you went on leave. I would talk to a lawyer. Many employment lawyers will take a case on contingency (i.e., you pay them nothing or little upfront, they get paid a percentage of what you get from your company if you win or settle the case).

[Anonymous]

Also, you are entitled to take 12 weeks (16 in DC) of FMLA leave. If you've only taken eight weeks, I think you can tell the company that you need to take the additional 4 (or 8) starting NOW to care for your newborn. But I'd talk to a lawyer first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a lawyer.

+1. And dont' say anything that isn't noncommittal about the situation. Write down exactly what you were told now before you forget the details.

+2 Were you eligible for FMLA? If so, what they are doing is illegal. Check out the "Eligibility" and "Job Restoration" subheadings here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm#11

+3

Call a lawyer this afternoon. Document everything, save emails and letters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a lawyer.

+1. And dont' say anything that isn't noncommittal about the situation. Write down exactly what you were told now before you forget the details.

+2 Were you eligible for FMLA? If so, what they are doing is illegal. Check out the "Eligibility" and "Job Restoration" subheadings here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm#11

+3

Call a lawyer this afternoon. Document everything, save emails and letters.

OP, these people are right. Don't listen to the other idiots who are saying to stick it out. Talk to a lawyer, and don't talk to anyone at work until you do.

[Anonymous]

Talk to a lawyer. So illegal.

[Anonymous]

Talk to a lawyer. Do not wait!!! The sooner you find one the better. Do NOT tell anyone at work you are looking for a lawyer. Just find one.

They may not be able to save your job. But they might be able to get you a great lay off package.