Help- Maternity related

Iklemiss

I have asked for part time hours when I return to work however have been told No but offered a different position same salary which i was pleased about untill i recieved a letter this morning saying they would like me to start more or less straight away building up my hours and come back of maternity 2 weeks early.

I know it doesnt sound like much but im not mentally prepared to leave my lo yet nor do I have a minder set up untill my agreed return to work date ( my mum and dad) but they have a holiday booked before they take her on full time.
Can they state I would need to come back early or are they being unreasonable. I know a lot of people have a bad attitude towards women wanting everything when they go back but I have worked for the company nearly 10 years if i refuse to go back early can they retract the offer. I also need to buy a second car my husband and I used to car share but it wont be fesable when I go back

Mellowyellow_2

I do not think they can ask you to return early, nor should they be allowed to retract the offer once they have made it

SarEl

Mellowyellow wrote: »

I do not think they can ask you to return early, nor should they be allowed to retract the offer once they have made it

They certainly can ask you to return early - but you don't have to agree. But it seems from your post that you are envisaging problems if you don't before the problems have emerged. Have you actually explained to them why you can't come back early?

However, there is a snag. Your right is only to return to the job (and the hours) that you had when you went on maternity leave. They are under no obligation to do anything other than consider alternatives - either in terms of hours or jobs. And they may well be able to retract an offer - employers do it all the time, and there is rarely very much that you can do about it.

But all that aside, it seems to me that the most obvious first step would be to explain that you cannot return early - it may not actually be the huge issue you think it may be. Aletrnatively, there may be a compromise that you can agree on that will enable both you and the employer to be happy with the outcome.

Iklemiss

Thank you, I think Deep down I dont really want to go back at all but that isnt really an option and when I am in the office I feel right at home again. I think it came as a bit of a shock as I had been in for several meetings about my new role and not once was it said I would need to start imediatly. I agree i really do need to speak to them I might do one day a week before my return to work date but I really arnt willing to loose any more time then I have to with my daughter. It is a new role that has come about and I know they will not be able to get anyone to my level of ability and understanding by the time they could start and had basic training I would be back anyway I'm hopping there just trying it on.