Advice as employer

Laverna

Can anyone advise me what I should do about this??

I run a small business employing 5 people. Two years ago one employee had a baby and took about 9 months maternity leave - some obviously at her own expense - and then came back to work. At her request she reduced her hours to approx. 20 per week and then just over a year ago she told me she was going to be going on illness benefit (she did qualify for illness benefit but I never really found out what exactly was wrong) as she would be better off than if she was working and would qualify for some sort of rental benefit. Fine if that was what she wanted. I heard nothing until recently although I did know that she was now expecting her 2nd child (now due in 8 weeks). She has now come to me and says she wants to discuss a return to work!! Caught on the hop I said to her that I really didn't have any work for her. The truth is that business is down and the reason I haven't let anyone go is that she didn't come back over a year ago. Plus I can't see how her returning to work when expecting a baby in less than 2 months is in anyone's interest. What (if any) are my obligations to her? I never issued a p45 last year and maybe I should have. I can't afford to take her back and can't understand why she wants to come back at this exact time? Is it something to do with her maternity benefit entitlement? What do I do?

Gloomtastic!

I'd talk to solicitor who specialises in employment law. It might cost a few hundred but save you a lot more in the long run.

Peterdalkey

You definitely need professional advice as how to proceed with this. Most solicitors are not great in this area, I can recoomend a great Irish company that deals with this kind of advice for modest fees, Contact John Barry http://www.mssirl.com/ . We have always found them to be the safest source of advice in this area over a long number of years