I'm currently on maternity leave and my employer has just told me my role is being made redundant. This feels really wrong. Are there extra protections for people on maternity leave?
Yes — you have enhanced protection. If your role is made redundant while you're on maternity leave, your employer must offer you any suitable alternative vacancy that exists BEFORE offering it to anyone else. If they don't, it's automatically unfair dismissal and potentially sex discrimination.
Get legal advice quickly. Many employment solicitors offer a free first consultation. Maternity Action and the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) also have free helplines specifically for this situation.
Keep copies of everything — your original contract, the redundancy notice, any emails. And respond to everything in writing. Do not just accept this verbally.