In relation to employees on maternity leave and the need to notify them of vacancies, is it enough to advise them that there are vacancies available via the internet (assuming the employee has internet and email access) or do we have to inform them in writing?

The answer to this question really depends on the precise reason for notifying an employee on maternity leave of other vacancies: is it is because the employee's own job has become redundant or is it simply to make sure that the absent employee is kept informed about other opportunities in the same way as if she had been at work?

If it is the former – that the employee's position is redundant – then you should be taking very pro-active steps to inform her about any vacancies. By way of background, employees on maternity leave have the right to return to their own job, except in limited circumstances including if a redundancy situation has arisen. If her job is redundant, then a woman on