appeal advice - Flexible working request rejected

haras_nosirrah

Let's face it, a baby during pregnancy is a lot less work than a baby when born. They are much quieter for a start.

I am a working mum of 2 so I get it. It is hard parenting as if you don't work and working as if you aren't a parent. I also breast fed and went back to work when my kids were 6 months

From the employers point of view they feel that they would be paying you to parent and that you wouldn't be available or working for them

Best advice. See if they will allow 2 or 3 days week part time working. Start expressing to get some milk in the freezer and get baby used to a bottle now. You are legally entitled to express at work and they must provide space and a fridge. I did this for a year. If you live close to work then can mil bring baby in during lunch break?

Also is it realistic for mil to babysit 5 days a week? That is a hell of an ask.

I can see why work said no. They are possibly also worried about setting a precedent where all the women 'work from home' with their kids and that isn't sustainable for them.

You need to come up with plan b and see if they will allow a part time job if you can't face going back full time. Also while I know you are nervous your husband and family love your baby and will look after baby perfectly well. Nurseries are safe and monitored and you can trust your baby will be looked after. I hope you can get something sorted

bhaisab

To Update; Sent in the appeal app and had a meeting two weeks ago.

I asked for 5 days WFH for a month then after each month introduce a day at work. so in 5 months should be at work 5 days full time.
Received appeal outcome letter: Work have agreed to WFH for 3 days and in office for 2 days for a month then every 2 weeks extra office day 
I understand from forum responses, legally employer didnt need to offer this but argued my value.
Probably should be happy with this proposal. But i'm going to see if I can get a WFH for longer.

TELLIT01

Do bear in mind that if you push it, the company could withdraw the current offer completely.  As a neutral observer I think they have been more than fair.  They have moved from a position of wanting no WFH days to agreeing 3.

kingfisherblue

bhaisab said:

To Update; Sent in the appeal app and had a meeting two weeks ago.

I asked for 5 days WFH for a month then after each month introduce a day at work. so in 5 months should be at work 5 days full time.
Received appeal outcome letter: Work have agreed to WFH for 3 days and in office for 2 days for a month then every 2 weeks extra office day 
I understand from forum responses, legally employer didnt need to offer this but argued my value.
Probably should be happy with this proposal. But i'm going to see if I can get a WFH for longer.

I wouldn't push it - they have been very accommodating so far, and you have a good result.

Mrsn

I really would advise against pushing for further WFH allowances. You recognise in your latest post they have done more than necessary required by law and to be frank you have no idea how fortunate you are for being made the offer you currently have.

You may find that if you do push it the offer will be withdrawn and then you will have absolutely no recourse to that. Quit whilst you are ahead....

swingaloo

Also, have you given any thought to how your fellow workers may be feeling about this. A team of 6 and one wants to work from home. You say that you are one of the 3 productive ones out of the 6 but I would be very surprised if your co workers agree with that.

Fireflyaway

I think you are fortunate to have been granted the arrangement you have. As a parent I can understand your anxiety, however if I were your employer id have slight reservations. How focused and professional will you be when you baby starts crying or more so when they start toddling around. It's going to be hard to be focused. Although it shouldn't have an impact on your application I'm sure your workplace will be worried this could open up to other people asking to work from home and then claiming unfair treatment if they are not allowed. Having kids and working is hard but there is only so much you can do. You can't expect your employer to create the perfect job. 

John_

Deleted, posted before reading whole thread...

warby68

I am glad your employer has agreed something - this sounds a little bit like a stepped return to work after an illness given the 2/2.5 month timeframe for getting you back fulltime, a temporary but not overly protracted arrangement. The signs are still there though that they really want you office based. Longer term, a part-time or compressed hours sort of arrangement may suit you better, rather than one where you are combining childcare and WFH, if you still want to be at home more. 
The compromise here is all on the employer's side - its clear they want you office based fulltime - so I'd be wary of trying to push your value argument much further at this point.

JReacher1

You do need to go back to the office for your own sanity. If you get to the point where you’ll never leave your child with anyone this will start to have problems as the years go on. I can understand strangers but not wanting to leave your child with the father of the child seems unusual!

A lot of new mothers go through this separation anxiety and it is difficult at first but ultimately everything will work out for you.  Both you and your child will adjust to the new routine soon and I am sure by the end of this phased return everyone will be far more comfortable.