Returning to work after a baby/Part time

Crispy_Ambulance

Employment law can be complicated and it would be better to seek specialised advice, either from your union or a CAB or law centre. You do have certain statutory rights and may have enhanced rights through your contract but you do need to speak to an employment adviser.

RACHIE77

banana1975 wrote:

I thought that if you are only taking 26 weeks that you had to go back to the job that you were in - if you take the extended time off unpaid then they will try and find something similar but could be slightly different. May be worth you double checking the information on the website TIGER.com which points out all your rights and also sets up a maternity calander for you as well.

Spoke to my work yesterday and I have a meeting with them on Thursday to discuss hours and my return. Fingers crossed that it is the hours that I want.

I thought that too but I can't seem to find anything about it on any of the websites, it may be worth checking the wording of your contract with your employer just to make sure.

It annoys me that companies don't really give valid reasons for their choices, I felt when I went back to work that they honoured most of the requests that I made but had to turn at least one thing down as they didn't want me to get everything I'd requested!!

The para below is from a website called https://www.workingfamiles.org.uk it may be worth giving them a call?

Can I return to my old job?

Yes, your employer must give you back your old job or, if that is not possible, a suitable job on very similar terms and conditions which are no less advantageous. The circumstances where you are not entitled to your old job back are very narrow, if you think you may not be given your old job back, call our helpline.

http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/asp/family_zone/fs_pr1_matrights.asp

Working Families Advice Line
Tel: 0800 013 0313 – calls are free

Savvy_Sue

I didn't think it made any difference how much maternity leave you'd taken, the employer was supposed to try and offer you your old job back, and if not then a suitable alternative. I didn't think it had ever been compulsory to keep your exact old job open for you.

ALI1973

Unfortuantely as I remember it, although your terms of contract CANNOT be changed when you are on or returning from Maternity Leave, Redundancy and requests to alter your contract can still be processed as if you were still at work. Try the Equal Opportunities Commission for info, they helped me.

IE. if your role is removed from the company, then although they may try and redeploy you they have no official obligation to do so.
Also, if you request a change to your contract be that change of hours or workplace again they can re negotiate your contract, by offering a different role or pay.

This said, most large companies will try and accomodate you ammicably, unfortuanately, when I wished to return to work my boss (female no kids) did everything to make life difficult and in the end I chose to resign (she was very clever, only ever made threats verbally and when they couldnt be witnessed).

If its any help, we have managed on one wage (not that we thought we would) by tightening our belts and adjusting our lifestyle. I know that this is not everyones cup of tea, but I have loved being there for my kids and its great to be able to take and pick up from school, that said, I think staying at home is FAR harder and more stressful than going to work and managing 30 staff!

Best wishes to you all
Love Ali

Judi101

Thanks for all the help guys. Will definitely check out some of the links etc to find out where I stand. I would love to stay at home with the baby but being the worrier I am we would really really struggle, especially as currently I am the main wage earner and due to owning a second property we rent out (after mortgage and upkeep we dont actually make any money on it) we wouldnt be entitled to any benefits whatsoever (I have checked) even if we had to survive on one wage.

Thanks for all the help. Off now to check it out.

banana1975

Had my meeting today with work in regards to my flexible working request and although I stressed that I wanted to work 3 days one of which must be a weekend they offered me a position of Monday to Friday 4pm - 8pm - They know I also have a school aged child and that this would be impossible.

They are now looking at what other option are avaliable as they are an outsourcing company that take on work all the time. I asked what would happen if they had nothing by 13th Feb when I return and they asked if I had more holiday - which I have not!

Does anyone know if this means that I have to accept this "offer" and otherwise I would have to resign?

RACHIE77

banana1975 wrote:

Had my meeting today with work in regards to my flexible working request and although I stressed that I wanted to work 3 days one of which must be a weekend they offered me a position of Monday to Friday 4pm - 8pm - They know I also have a school aged child and that this would be impossible.

They are now looking at what other option are avaliable as they are an outsourcing company that take on work all the time. I asked what would happen if they had nothing by 13th Feb when I return and they asked if I had more holiday - which I have not!

Does anyone know if this means that I have to accept this "offer" and otherwise I would have to resign?

Did you used to work these sort of ours (out of normal office hours) cos if so then they should really be offering you something a little bit more appropriate really?? Its a good precident tho in as much that they have offered you part time hours, you need to keep on their case and ask them when you can expect a reply.... They can't make you take holiday, its their problem and they need to sort it, have you spoken to Citizens Advice about this??

Hope you get it sorted hun, its so annoying that companies can be such pigs about working mums trying to get their working hours sorted!!

jellyhead

sorry if this has already been answered and i haven't seen it, but have you taken the extra holiday that you build up during your maternity leave? if you're away for a year you can tack an extra month onto your maternity leave although i'm not sure if it's paid holiday or unpaid.

good luck with finding something suitable *HUGS*

krisskross

My daughter in law used her accrued annual leave to work part time when she went back to work......used to take a day or so annual leave each week. So still got full pay while she worked out her options.

Hope you get it sorted out, it is hard enough having to go back without loads of obstacles to give you added stress.