Partner going back to work or not

dexterwolf

My partner wants to go back to work a couple of days a week after maternity leave. What happens if her work won't let her go back two days a week?. Would she be able to claim any benefits and job seekers allowance? . Just trying to work out things a little now in case she does not have a job in 8 months time.

HappyMJ

dexterwolf wrote: »

My partner wants to go back to work a couple of days a week after maternity leave. What happens if her work won't let her go back two days a week?. Would she be able to claim any benefits and job seekers allowance? . Just trying to work out things a little now in case she does not have a job in 8 months time.

Won't have a job? They have to allow her back on the same terms and conditions as before she had the baby. Your wife can request they make some changes to the terms and conditions but that might be too much of a change to be accepted. She won't be entitled to benefits if she quits and by requesting to return on significantly reduced hours it might be construed as quitting rather than being made redundant which would entitle her to benefits. She could if made redundant get contributions based JSA for 6 months.

Spendless

I had to leave. My workplace only had full-time workers when I left to have my baby (who is now 15). The childcare bill was equivalent to my wages and no help with the costs. The right to request flexible working didn't exist back then. It's quite common where I live that admin jobs in the private sector are all full-time, my current workplace all the staff are full-time too.

6 months later, I did claim JSA for a short while but it had to go to a decision maker to decide whether I'd given up my job voluntarily. Fortunately I'd found something before they'd amde their mind up. I ended up working in a shop on evenings and weekends instead so me and husband could do the childcare between us. Is that an option if workplace says no?

Gigglepig

It might be a good idea for her to submit a flexible working request asap so she knows where she stands.

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview

It might also be good to start looking for suitable part time opportunities asap in case her current employer says no.

pinkshoes

I went back 3 days instead of 5, but I know very few employers that would allow just 2 days, unless it is a job share.

The company I worked for then tried to force my hours back to full time a year later, as they were short staffed and couldn't recruit anyone with experience, so figured I could just do the extra hours instead. It backfired on them, as I decided to change career and quit!

You need to be willing to be flexible, and perhaps agree to a trial period to show that your job can be done on a part time basis. Are there others that work part time?

missbiggles1

Didn't she discuss her future plans before going on maternity leave?

BigAunty

Might be a question better suited to the employment and benefit forums.

theoretica

If she is getting more than the statutory maternity pay she might also need to pay some back if she does not return to her job.

sulkisu

Benefits will depend on your earnings amongst other things, such as her NI contributions in the years before her maternity leave.


She might find that her employers are more open to the idea of part-time working if she can be flexible about the days/hours that she works. For example they might agree to her working three or four days instead of two, or 5 half days instead of 2 full days.
It would be worth considering all possibilities before approaching her employer, but I agree with others that she should request this ASAP, rather than wait until her return is imminent.

Tigsteroonie

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Didn't she discuss her future plans before going on maternity leave?

You'd be surprised how many Mums don't even think about it until they are in the last month or two of their maternity leave.

And don't get me started on Mums who think that, because they've had a child, that they are entitled to demand a flexible work pattern that suits them without considering the impact on the business or how that impact could be mitigated. (Yes, I know they can ask - but they seem to expect to get what they want.)

[/rant]

VfM4meplse

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

And don't get me started on Mums who think that, because they've had a child, that they are entitled to demand a flexible work pattern that suits them without considering the impact on the business or how that impact could be mitigated. (Yes, I know they can ask - but they seem to expect to get what they want.)

[/rant]

I agree with this, but leaving your child in the care of others is not easy. A smart comany will invest in their staff and explore viable ways to retain them.

Spendless wrote: »

I had to leave. My workplace only had full-time workers when I left to have my baby (who is now 15). The childcare bill was equivalent to my wages and no help with the costs.

This I find incredibly sad in a modern age, I guess it was the pre-tax credit era.