Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
I have been on a sponsored degree management trainee scheme with my company for the last three years. In my first year I fell pregnant and took five months maternity leave and missed one week of university to have my little girl. However I completed the work needed and have passed the degree.
When I returned in May 2013 I was given no direction and just given ad hoc work to do. In September 2013 everyone else on the scheme received a pay rise except me. I only got this in September 2014. The rest of the people on the scheme received another pay rise at this time. I saw the HR manager who had stopped my pay rise and she said I had hindered myself by being on maternity.
I finished the scheme in November and was told it was being extended by six months because they wanted to see more from me. No one else on the scheme has had this done to them and I feel it’s due to my maternity.
The HR manager has been told to set some time to talk through the issues. I’ve tried booking some time and had no response and she’s now not talking to me. I need some advice as I feel I am being unfairly treated due to my maternity leave.
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
