Not going back to work after maternity leave

an9i77

summerday wrote: »

Do you believe that your job could be carried out by you working part time, even if with a job share partner? If so, you have a right to request a part time role (although not a given right to it being granted, but onus is on company to explain why it can't work).

I plan to request part time when I return from mat leave, and have a template letter that outlines their duty to consider my part time request. If you would like a copy of the letter just pm me.

Yes they do have a duty to consider the request but that's all - and it's pretty easy to get out of that one, all they have to do is ensure the reasons for refusal fit into one of the eight 'valid' categories for refusal.

I think the right to request flexible working is one of the most meaningless pieces of employment legislation, because that's all it is, a right to request it - your rights stop after that.

duchy

When I decided to go back to work there was nothing part-time around -so I sent a speculative CV with a covering letter saying I was available and was looking to work three days a week -including Saturday to all the businesses in my area in my field. I was well qualified with good experience. My industry at the time did have Saturday working -and it had the added incentive that my husband could care for our son on Saturdays -so they got time together (he worked long hours Mon-Fri and often didn't see our son in the evenings) and less paid childcare was needed.

Within a fortnight I'd had three interviews and job offers and three more I didn't respond back to as they weren't companies I wanted to work for. At all three interviews it was mentioned that they hadn't been looking for anyone but were busy -but didn't have the work for a whole person and my application got them thinking.
So I guess I created my own job -it was really a matter of my CV landing on the right desks at the right time -Never hurts to put out feelers

This job was local and kept my skills current . I stayed there for a year and then moved to a job share position in London working three weekdays. I'm not so sure I'd have got the job with a year out of the industry.

3v3

an9i77 wrote: »

Yes they do have a duty to consider the request but that's all - and it's pretty easy to get out of that one, all they have to do is ensure the reasons for refusal fit into one of the eight 'valid' categories for refusal.

I think the right to request flexible working is one of the most meaningless pieces of employment legislation, because that's all it is, a right to request it - your rights stop after that.

Or do they?

Do you have access to your firm's policy regarding flexi-working? I'm just delving into that mire of employment legislation myself, so I'm a bit fuzzy (aka unreliable) but, I do know that you need to know what their policies are regarding flexi-work and work/life integration. Work-life balance is a huge agenda (even if it is skewed towards women - no offence, but it really should have a balance which should not be gender specific or even parent specific! Non-parents should be equally entitled to a work/life balance).
Out of curiosity, what are the eight "valid" categories for refusal? (I admit to an academic interest here) and what industry are you in?

Spendless

I was once in a very similar position to yourself. My employer only had f-time workers, no offer of slightly reduced hours or pay either. F-time, these hours, take it or leave it. The right to reqauest flexible working didn't exist. Childcare was (at least) the equivalent of all my wages. We knew we wanted another child too, and as it worked out it took 7.5 years from 1st being born till 2nd went to school- that's a long time to spend all your wages on childcare to 'keep' your job. So I packed in. After a few months we need a small 2nd income so I found a job working evenings when DH was home. Is this something you could look into.

We did that till I was having DD, by then DH had moved up the career ladder and had a few pay-rises. That made things easier. DS went to f-time school and I realised that technology had advanced a lot, so with DD coming up nursery age I went back to college to get some up to date qualifications. This took a few years, cos I did it at a slow pace to be with kids, and also to work round DH's workload and health. Where I came unstuck was I finished college just as the recession kicked in - that was something I'd never considered. So I did some voluntary work, and then temped via an agency, the company where I was palced has just taken me on on a short-term contract, that may turn out long term.

I still work part-time (ish). I work 30 hours, finishing at 3 so I can pick youngest from school and to give me a bit of flexibility so that I can still attend sports days and assemblies (by working till 5 on a different day).

Metranil_Vavin

summerday wrote: »

Do you believe that your job could be carried out by you working part time, even if with a job share partner? If so, you have a right to request a part time role (although not a given right to it being granted, but onus is on company to explain why it can't work).

I plan to request part time when I return from mat leave, and have a template letter that outlines their duty to consider my part time request. If you would like a copy of the letter just pm me.

I do actually think my job could be carried out on a p/t basis.

What I actually asked for was a 4 day working week, with one of those days working from home, which they refused and sent me a lengthy email explaining why they thought it wasn't possible to do my job in p/time hours.

What they then came back with was a 5 day week working slightly reduced hours (9-4 rather than 9-5.30) with Tuesdays working from home.

Not all that helpful to me though as I would still have to put DS into childcare 5 days a week, and I would effectively be expected to look after the same amount of accounts/work, for a pro-rata'd salary and holiday. So a win win for them really. My job also entails a fair amount of long-haul international travel which is no longer convenient for me now I have a baby.

Leaving a bit earlier would be helpful as it takes me 1.5 hours to get home and I would have to pick DS up from nursery/childminder (most of which start to charge you if you're later than 6pm picking kids up), but because my salary would be less, by the time I had paid for childcare/travel to work etc, there would be very little left over..hardly worth my while in my opinion.

Over the past few years OH and I have been gradually paying off his debts (I am essentially debt free and pretty good with money, OH is not and came to the relationship with a number of credit card debts and a big loan).
The last bit of debt he has now is a Northern Rock loan for around £8k which is costing him £259 a month (interest is all paid off now, it is just the actual loan he is paying off). I have enough saved to pay this off (it's going to hurt mind you!) but with that additional £259 a month freed up, we can afford for me to not work for a time anyway.

Think I just need to stop being scared of change, and see this as an opportunity to not only spend precious time with my baby, but also an opportunity to leave a job I have been at for over 7 years, and not particularly happy in for some time, and do something else.

vroombroom

did you ever look into a nanny or an au pair? x

Metranil_Vavin

Hey vroom. An au pair wouldn't work for us as we only have a 2 bed flat. It's nowhere near big enough for someone to live in.

I'm guessing the same is the case with a nanny.

vroombroom

i think nannies can live out x

I was meant to be going back in Nov but they finshed me whilst on maternity leave (currently going thru a tribunal - nobody finishes Vroom's job, then readvertises it a week later ) but I'm finishing my degree and will be working part time shortly.
My son is in nursery two half days and one full day. He sleeps, poos and occasionally sicks and I get invoiced for it

neverdespairgirl

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

Hey vroom. An au pair wouldn't work for us as we only have a 2 bed flat. It's nowhere near big enough for someone to live in.

I'm guessing the same is the case with a nanny.

Lots of nannies live out. A full-time nanny would cost £9 to £10 an hour net in London, but you could look at a nanny share? That works for some people?

There's nothing wrong with being a SAHM, if that's what you and your family feel like doing.

Both my mother (who was a SAHM for 17 years) and my best mate, who is at home with a 2 year old, both reckon it's really important to do something that's just you, not as a mother, or as a wife, etc. My mother was in a choir, my mate is in a weekly swimming club.

meritaten

perhaps because I have never lived in a city and never had a 'high powered' job I really dont understand your post!
your commute time is what 1.5 hours? thats 3 hours a day!
your boss wont entertain you working less hours - so I guess working from home is out!
what are you? a city trader? commodities broker? banker? I guess its a male orientated environment.
as far as I know you are a mum - and one who wants to spend time with her baby. so do it!
if you are business savvy then set up on your own! working from home! others have done it so can you.
Use your brain to YOUR advantage!