return to work after maternity leave!!

BenC30

Just after some advise please

Worked a normal 9-5 mon to tues week, took a year off for maternity.

on return to work asked for part time and they accepted 15 hours a week but want me to work alternate saturday mornings. unable to work saturdays due to other commitments and saturday was never a normal working day before i went on maternity leave.

My question is can they make me?

Thanks

paddedjohn

If that is the only way they can accomodate you doing part time and you arent willing/able then they can refuse your request.

Takeaway_Addict

No they can't make you but if you can't do the hours they need they could refuse your request for part time.

SarEl

I may be being stupid here, but isn't 9-5 Mon-Tuesday part-time???

paddedjohn

SarEl wrote: »

I may be being stupid here, but isn't 9-5 Mon-Tuesday part-time???

Well spotted, the OP must want part, part time.;)

BenC30

oops sorry monday - friday lol

Can cover the 15 hours monday to friday but cant do saturday mornings. Couldnt have worked saturdays before maternity leave either.

Miss_Havisham

have you asked what reduced hours they could offer you without including Sats ?

Perhaps you would be part of a job-share where the other person already works Sats ?

BenC30

if i tell them i cant do saturdays and they say thats the only option surely thats constructive dissmisal?

BenC30

yep its alternate saturdays (every other week) but it doesnt change the fact that i cannot work saturdays. They proposed saturdays I said no and they said its the only option!

Takeaway_Addict

BenC30 wrote: »

if i tell them i cant do saturdays and they say thats the only option surely thats constructive dissmisal?

Why would it be? You could go back to the hours before going back to Maternity leave.

They don't have to find you a job that fits your hours, business needs over ride your needs

SarEl

BenC30 wrote: »

if i tell them i cant do saturdays and they say thats the only option surely thats constructive dissmisal?

Takeaway Addict is correct. You are entitled to return to work on your contractual hours. The minute you ask for something different the decision becomes the employers as to what they will offer you. Parenthood does not entitle you to the hours you want. If you tell thyem you can't do Satursdaus then you are at liberty to return Monday - Friday, 9 - 5. They aren't required to offer you anything else. You have a right to ask for part-time working - not a right to be given it and certainly not a right to say what hours you will or won't work