Working Mum - Request unrealistic or realistic option?

Mrs_A_2

I'm currently on maternity leave and trying to decide what I'd like to do upon my return to work. Before baby I worked 35 hours a week over 5 days.

I'd love to go back just 3 days, but can't see it being accepted and I think they'd question my commitment etc.

So half of me thinks I should just go for a happy medium, slap bang in the middle of what I want, and what they probably want - and ask for four days.

What would you do? Anyone been in similar situation? Anyone have a baby and work four days, how do you find it? I'm fortunate that I've rolled over a few holidays from this year so should be able to use a day to take a days annual leave every other week next year.

El_Torro

If you think they'll agree to four days then ask for three. Maybe they'll give you the three, failing that you can "compromise" and agree to four.

Mrs_A_2

Thanks for the advice.

LittleMissGiggles123

You need to give them reasons why the reduced hours will not effect the business. When they consider the request they will need to see what impact your working hours will have on the company as a whole, including your colleagues. If you can show that you can do your role in the reduced hours then you might stand a chance.

Yorkie1

If you work 4 days, you'll almost certainly end up doing (or trying to do) a full-time amount of work in those 4 days.

Annisele

Yorkie1 wrote: »

If you work 4 days, you'll almost certainly end up doing (or trying to do) a full-time amount of work in those 4 days.

This. I work full time, but several of my colleagues tried to work 4 day weeks. All of them have either gone back to full time or down to 3 day weeks - 4 days just means a part-timer's pay for a full-timer's work.

Slinky

Anybody else there in the same boat you can job-share with? Somebody I know does this, one of them does Mon-Wed the other does Wed-Fri and it works really well for them (particularly the other one that gets all the bank holidays on her shift).

lushlifesaver

I've just returned to work (3 weeks ago)going from a 37hr over 5 day working week to a 30hr over 4 day week (08.30-5pm) and my employer was really receptive. I added the extra 30mins at the start of each working day to keep to 30hrs to keep that element of tax credits otherwse they were happy for me to go 09.00/09.30 - 5.

It helps that my manager does four days (mon-thurs whilst i requested tues-fri)so we over lap and quite a few people in teh organisation do four days. It'salways worth asking and being prepared in the knowledge of what others do

My pay has become pro-rata'd but it's not a massive drop...it's more than do-able

Pepperoni

How do you find that lushlifesaver? I'm also looking at what to do work wise after maternity leave!

mandragora_2

If you don't ask for three days, you're certainly not going to get it.

maria3104

Girls, I admit I am aged now. I had first baby and returned to full time as I had no option. I than had second and repeated process. If any of you are planning further children how will being part time affect your maternity pay with a number 2? Also any changes to other terms and conditions, pension schemes etc?
By default my lack of options and 6 years of real struggle emotionally and financially has given me an unlooked for benefit, my pension is lush.

Thankfully all children appear to be normal and have come through unscathed my parenting. Good luck to you all.