Pushed into making a decision about work. Grrrr.

[hellbell]

I am a bit cross to say the least. I am on maternity leave until March. My boss has been hassling me since September about when I will go back, full-time/part-time and so on. I asked for part-time, she said that she could not offer me that, but only full-time. I told her that she could not do that. She then told me that she would look into it and get back to me. She did not.THEN she phoned me again, to have the same discussion, so I said that I would like part-time after May, but want to be a full-time mum until then. Again, she said that she couldn't do that. She pushed me for a definite answer and so I said that I would resign. THEN my colleague texted me to say that she has been offered a 1 day a week contract starting now. I am soooo cross. What can I do?

[popsycal]

loko at these websites
hold on

[popsycal]

here
here
they are all about your rights to request the hours that you want

[sis]

Hellbell, it was very wrong of your boss to keep pressuring you until you resign. If you want to take matters further, you need to act quickly as there is a time-limit of three months for putting a tribunal claim. In the first instance, whilst things are still fress in your mind, make a note of who said what when and how you felt as a result and, if you want, write to your boss or her boss and explain that you felt forced to resign under what you now know to be false pretences on their part and therefore are writing to give them the opportunity to reconsider the matter before you proceed further through the employment tribunal system for a claim of unfair constructive dismissal, sex discrimination and failure to consider a request for flexible working.

Of course, you should then try and get some free legal help from either the citizens advice bureau, trade union (you can join one now if you are not already a member), law centre, equal opportunities commission or the maternity alliance. All the best,
sis

[lazyeye]

hellbell - I went p/t after returning from mat leave. My understanding is they can not just say NO - they must (by law) now give you valid reasons why not. I don't know if this has to take the form of a written report or letter, but they do have to outline their case so you can counter it.

This all sounds well out of order.

[hellbell]

Thank you. Part of me wants just to say s*d it and get on with my life, but there is a principle here. What will she be like when I need to stay home or leave early because dd needs me? It would have to be urgent for me to do this, but I would have to sometimes.