Hi Katey, I am pretty sure, in fact positive that what they are saying is right. If you change your employment status to part time, then that is all they are obliged to offer you when you come back. So therefore, if you are full time, then they HAVE to offer you your exact position when you come back. You can opt when you come back to change your status to part time, but again, if they cannot or do not have any part time work, then they can just say no, and you will be left looking for a part time job elsewhere.

However, this employer of your friends, should be a little bit more empathetic to her situation, and possibly provide some alternatives to standing all day, or even let her leave early or whatever. If they push her around, then she could go to her doctor and go on 'stress leave' which they have to pay her for, but she doesn't have to go into work. I know that's horrible and would be a last resort, but hey, if they aren't giving her a fair go, then maybe she should push back in her own way!

Hope this information helps a little.

Good luck to your friend!