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returning to work

11 replies

warmkittysoftkitty2 · 24/04/2016 08:06

My company were recruiting for part time positions while I'm currently on mat leave.


They emailed me the current vacancies and HR called me to explain they have to let me know.

(I was planning not to returning to my current job role)

I'm not due back until after the summer but I was told these positions were to be filled by June (I felt this was a first attempt to put me off)

One of the roles was ideal so when I spoke to my manger I said that one would suit me.

They have come to say 'all they can offer me on a part time basis is 10 hours a week on NMW'

I know this is a lie because they are advertising for part time people on 24 hours!

I now feel I'm in a position that I have to hand my notice in as they know I'm planning on not return to old job and are offering me something they know I couldn't take.

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flowery · 24/04/2016 09:26

Have you actually applied for one of the 24hr roles?

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warmkittysoftkitty2 · 24/04/2016 09:57

Yes! I said verbally I wanted to apply for a part time position - after they sent me the vacancies. And they verbally can back with 10 hours.

Saying it to either put me off coming back or making sure I do full time.

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flowery · 24/04/2016 10:39

Put it in writing, cv and cover letter as you normally would. Say thank you for offer of a 10 hour part time post but for the avoidance of doubt, I would like to apply for x y z role/s, which I understand is for 24 hours a week. Please find attached my cv and I would be happy to attend an interview. Something like that, plus stuff about how you meet the criteria for the role- your skills and experience etc.

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warmkittysoftkitty2 · 24/04/2016 13:51

I feel like it's an attempt to put me off going back.

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Heroina · 24/04/2016 13:58

It is, the bloddy nobbers. Tell them you are coming back to the full time role, but thanks for the offer of 10 hours as a substitute.you want to be clear (at this stage) that you are intending to come back on full, but we're interested in the possibility of the part time role, and then follow what flowery says.

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MumUndone · 24/04/2016 14:04

Is there a reason they'd be trying to put you off coming back? If they've been advertising a role at 24 hours per week why wouldn't they consider you for that one? Have they already filled it? Seems odd to suddenly say it's only 10 hours. Is there more detail you could provide? Did you leave on good terms etc?

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warmkittysoftkitty2 · 24/04/2016 14:20

They were just pissed off that I was pregnant! It was a massive inconvenience and I knew it. They asked me constantly if I was coming back as they would rather plan if I wasn't.

My manager has made it clear those hours are from June onwards - and 'doesn't want to be mucked around with recruitment'

I haven't made any decisions final although now they know my plans are to return to a PT role around June.

I want to continue to my years maternity then leave but feel this could really wind my manger up with 'mucking around ' but I am entitled to do that if I so wish!

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MumUndone · 24/04/2016 14:55

Do you actually want to go back then?

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warmkittysoftkitty2 · 24/04/2016 15:08

I did! I wanted the part time job but now feel I'm not wanted.

I thought they would be more accommodating considering my experience in the sector and company!

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flowery · 24/04/2016 15:19

If you want the part time job, apply for it, do a really good application and make it extremely difficult for them not to shortlist you.

If you don't want to go back, give notice the appropriate length of time before the end of your year's maternity leave, and don't worry about mucking anyone around.

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HappyAsASandboy · 24/04/2016 15:27

If you want one of the 24 hours per week roles then you need to apply for one of them (via whatever mechanism the advert states). If you are successful then you could raise the request to delay starting until ; but they can say no and only offer the new job based on a June start date.

If you want to go back full time (i.e. on your current conditions) then you can take your entire maternity leave and then return as planned. They have to either give you back your old role, or if that's not reasonably practicable then a role with similar skills/responsibility/kudos etc and the same hours/pay.

If you want to go back to your old role on a part time basis, you need to submit a Flexible Working Request to that effect. They can either accept your request, negotiate with you to come to an agreed request, or turn you down for good business reason.

It sounds to me like your employer has interpreted your approach to them as a Flexible Working Request and has come back with a suggestion of how it might work. If what you actually meant was that you want to apply for one of the advertised roles then you need to make that clear to them and the apply. But you can't then expect them to wait until you are ready to start.

Having said that, the above is what you are entitled to do. A good employer who values you may well be more flexible about roles/hours/start dates if they want a happy workforce.

What is it you actually want to do? You are better off focusing on what you want rather than trying to second guess whether they like you/want you back.

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