I agree with Marcellus - it is your job, she cannot take over your job permanently. I actually had a similar situation happen when I went on maternity leave. A girl who had done my job previously was employed for my maternity leave. And you know what it actually ended up working brilliantly for me. She ended up not being able to perform the job to the level that I do. They ended up getting her to leave and employing someone else to fill in for me for the remainder of my leave. And as a result - they realised how good I am at what I do and they agreed to me coming back in a job share situation 3 days a week (previously they had told me there was no chance of this).

So don't automatically think that this is going to be a bad thing for you. It is YOUR job. They HAVE to give it back to you. BUT I agree with the fact that unfortunately you really have no say in who they employ to fill in for you.

Hope it all works out.

Janie xxx