Work requesting a meeting before return from Maternity Leave

Googlewhacker

Only if you could prove that was the reason and thats not that easy.

I don't see why make a fuss, alot of women do keeping in touch days when returning to work and this really isn't any differant.

themull1

Its not really making a fuss, its annual leave not a work day, so i don't see why they can't wait until she returns to work.

youcangoogleit

Politely decline citing 'prior engagements'. Maybe throw in something about it being 'unfortunate' and that you would gratefully recieve any information prior to your return via email. Personally i don't think it's fair to expect someone on annual leave to go into work.

viktory

RLH33 wrote: »

I have been on maternity leave since December 2009 and returned to work in December 2010. However as I had a lot of leave to take I don't actually physically return to work until 2 weeks time.

I have today had an e-mail from work asking me to come in for a meeting to go through the changes that have happened since I have been away, new office, clear desk policy, new team organisation etc etc.

My first thought was 'Thank you for your offer but I'll see you when I get back to work and you can explain it all then'. Would I be unreasonable to write back to them saying that?

Bit of background, I work for a Local Authority, have done for 17 years, they tried to make me redundant, along with a lot of other colleagues, while I was away and have been quite difficult in responding to my requests for a slight change to my already flexible way of working when I returned to work. Their communication over my possible redundancy was extremely poor to the point where they didn't even invite me in for a meeting to tell me whether I had been selected to go. All my other colleagues were told in a private meeting, they didn't even tell me that these meetings were being held and they didn't even phone me to tell me I was safe (for now), I had to phone them!

Although that is all in the past now this request for a meeting has stirred those less than generous feelings towards them and I feel a bit miffed that I should take up what is left of my precious annual/maternity leave to meet with them.

Personally I think you are being extremely churlish. I left my post to take up a secondment - was away for two years and was delighted to be offered the opportunity for a meeting ahead of my return. It smoothed the path for an easier return, gave me a chance to become re-aquainted with my colleagues and check out the lie of the land.

Strikes me you are just looking for a reason to find fault.

Sambucus_Nigra

RLH33 wrote: »

I have today had an e-mail from work asking me to come in for a meeting to go through the changes that have happened since I have been away, new office, clear desk policy, new team organisation etc etc.

It all sounds thrilling [insert sadly departed rolleyes smilie here].

I'd say 'I'd love to, but my childcare doesn't start up until my first day back; is there anything that you can email me that I can read up on beforehand, or could we do it over the phone at all?'

Savvy_Sue

and "you'll be paying for this as a KIT day, won't you?"

SevenOfNine

You realise that in your original post, you have complained because you've been called in for a meeting and also complained because you weren't called in for another. Seems like your employer can't win!

Seems to me they are just trying to smooth the way before your first day back, so you are prepared for the changes, it's just that some nit hasn't factored in that you have a baby now. Why don't you just say that you'd like to come in but as your childcare arrangements won't kick in until your first 'proper' day at work, can you bring the baby.

Before being awkward about popping in (for all the "are they going to pay you" comments), don't forget, there may be times you'll need them to be a bit more obliging now that you have a child. You may well need a bit of 'give and take' to work both ways, after all, you've said that you "may need some changes to your already flexible way of working".

During my own LA redundancy process, they too didn't call in those people NOT selected for redundancy. Why on earth would they, do you think you were expecting rather to much?

DCFC79

It sounds like they are trying to make it a little easier for you when you go back

GavB79

They also do not HAVE to agree to your request for a 'slight' change in your flexible working, they only have to consider it. You are entitled to return from maternity to the post you left, you can't dictate new hours etc. Sounds to me like they are being reasonable and responsible, and your past experiences are putting a taint on how you view things perhaps.

Uncertain

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Yes it does, don't presume everything your employers ask is with bad intentions.

Given that the OP knows her employers and you, presumably, do not do you not think she is in a better position to presume things than you?