When Work Walks Away: Redundancy, Motherhood + What Comes Next

You’re on leave. Healing. Feeding. Figuring out how to sleep again.

Then the email lands. Or the call. Or the silence.

You’ve been made redundant. While on maternity leave.

And maybe the first thing you feel isn’t anger, but shame.
What did I miss?
Did I not matter as much as I thought I did?
Is this even legal?

Let’s start there.

Can your employer make you redundant on maternity leave?

Yes, but only in very specific circumstances.

Your job can be made redundant, but you, as a person, can’t be penalised for taking maternity leave. That’s protected by law.

Here’s what the law says in the UK:

  • Your role must be genuinely redundant (i.e. no longer needed)
  • The redundancy process must be fair, not targeted
  • If there’s a suitable alternative job, you should be offered it before anyone else

That last part? It’s not a favour. It’s your legal right.

What does redundancy feel like, really?

Most advice stops at the legalities. But there’s more to it than HR policies.
There’s the internal conversation:
Was I already halfway out the door?
Have I lost my edge?
Do I want to go back at all?

Redundancy on leave can feel personal, even if it’s not. It shakes your sense of identity.

It messes with your future plans. And it arrives at a time when you’re already physically and emotionally stretched.

mum and baby

You don’t need to bounce back right away. But you do get to ask questions.

What you can do next, if you’re ready

  • Request a full explanation in writing
    Ask for clarity on why your role is redundant, and whether alternatives were considered.
  • Check your maternity and redundancy rights
    ACAS and Citizens Advice are solid, calm places to start.
  • Talk to someone you trust
    Not for answers , just to feel less alone in it.

And if you’re not ready to do anything yet? That’s fine.

There’s no productivity bonus for fixing things in week six, or twelve, or 20. You’re allowed to pause, to process, to decide later.

Redundancy is something that happened to you, it’s not who you are.

If you want help navigating what’s next, we’re building a space here for slow career support, identity resets, and the hard stuff no one tells you about working parenthood.

You’re welcome here, job title or not.

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