Returning to work after Maternity Leave

fishbiscuits

I am soon due to return to work following Maternity Leave. I work in a care home and was full time prior to taking maternity leave, working five shifts a week, a mixture of early and late shifts, with two weekends out of three worked. Whilst I was on Maternity leave my job was covered by two people, one working three days a week, the other working two. They both worked one weekend out of three.
I recently saw my boss about returning to work. I told her I would like to return part time, working three days a week. I also requested late to early shifts where possible, as my mother in law will have my daughter overnight for me when I am working. I told her this was not neccessary at the weekends however as my husband would be looking after our daughter. She told me she would have a look at the rotas and asked me to ring her this week to discuss it further.

On returning home tonight I found a letter from my boss, saying see rota attached for your reduced hours. I have not been given a single late shift followed by an early as requested, except two at the weekends, which are no help, and all the reduction in my hours has been my weekday shifts, I am still working two weekends out of three.

I am really unhappy about these shifts, I feel they are unfair and she is ignoring my requests. I am kicking myself for not making a proper request for flexible working. I will be writing to her again to tell her I am not happy. What I want to know is, can she make me do these shifts? Also can I be made to do two weekends out of three still? (I have a vague recollection of her saying all staff, however many hours, would have to work two weekends in three, but the people covering my maternity leave did not have to). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bluemeanie_2

You can make a request for flexible working. The employer has to give it proper consideration and allow you to do it if possible. But it is perfectly legitimate to turn it down. Business needs take priority. If there is no gap on the rota etc to allow you to do work the !!!!!! you want and she can prove he considered your request you have two options. Leave and look for alternative employment or work the shifts and request to change when a space becomes available.

fishbiscuits

Thanks. There is obviously a gap on the rota as I was full time before my materity leave, doing lates to earlies and a mixture of shifts. If I was returning full time I would get those shifts back. I kind of figured it would be a case of don't like it, leave, but wanted to have extra ammunition to go to her with, if possible. Thanks anyway.