maternity leave about to end, how to ask to work at home one day per week?

[Gemmitygem]

I'm about to go back to work, horror seeping in at thought of leaving DS of 3 months!

thinking of asking for a day working at home per week, has anyone else done this and when/how did you ask for it?

any tips much appreciated!

[wurlywurly]

i would ask for a meeting with boss/line manager before you return, to bring you up to speed with what you have missed since you have been off. The I would make a comment like, " i would prefer not to work on xxday, simply as i have to take the baby for check ups at the baby clinic" lay it on a little thick, this is what i did when i returned to work only went back 3 days, had monday off as this was baby clinic day and fridays as this was the day the practise nurse does vaccinations. I would laso make sure that they know, that if you do have a day off in the week you can arrange any of the babies appointments on that day rather then have to take extra time off.

HTH

[twickersmum]

one thing to make sure you stress to your employer is that you are asking to WORK at home one day per week, not to be at home with your baby an extra day per week.
Make sure you are clear the baby will still be in childcare/looked after by someone else.
You can't expect your employer to consider it seriously if you will have him at home.

Alternatively you could ask for a "staged return to work". My company do it - where you can return to work say 2 days for a few months, then 3 days etc.. building up to what you have agreed. Or do half days then short days for a while.. (that worked best for me and let dcs settle into nursery very well)

[Gemmitygem]

thanks... the nanny will be there so I will be able to work, but just able to be with him as well.

bit tricky cos I'm abroad; working for the EU. will try and arrange a meeting with boss before I start back.

trouble is, no one else has done this before, so will be seen as awkward. oh well! thanks for tips!

[twickersmum]

are there things in your job that you can actually do more effectively from home? e.g. reports/summaries etc...
You could say that on x day per week you would like to be at home as you will need to take the baby to the clinic at x o'clock and be out for 30 mins (or whatever). - this gives a concrete reason why you want to be home that day.

Then you can make it a positive - "it will give me the opportunity to do all my reports (or whatever) and get really up to date without interruptions."

[arfishy]

I would look into it & then ask them Gemmitygem.

For example, what are the implications for your employer if you work from home? Do they need to provide you with any other equipment? Are there any insurance/health and safety issues for them? Is there a policy in place?

I would try to pre-empt any issues they might have, legal and logistical and have answers ready.

What has the EU said about working parents and flexible working hours? Is there anything you can use to argue your case?

I work from home a few days per week and I know my team tend to think that I do nothing. That's pretty much because they are all young, single men who DO do nothing when they are trusted to work from home. As a working parent it gives me so much flexibility I find I work harder as I don't want to jeopardise what I've been given. I try to ensure that my work is visible and promoted to prevent any problems with the younger team members attitudes.

Good luck. I hope you get the day (go for two, go on )

[KezzaG]

TBH I wouldnt even mention the baby being around. you wouldnt dream of doing a job in an office and having a baby in tow and taking them for appointments. You need to position it as a positive for you and the company.

Have examples of what you can do at home, how you will be able to do it as good as or better than in the office ie no interuptions from colleagues. Explain that you will actually probably be able to work longer hours as you wont have to leave half an hour (or whatever)earlier to allow for the travel time between office and work. Explain what technology you have at home, broadband, phone lines etc, and try to pre empt any question ie how will you pick up emails/voice messages etc.

Does your company have a green ethos? you could also mention the benefits of employees not using a car or other transport one day a week etc.

If your boss cant find any reason why your work or colleaues will be impacted it will be harder for him to say no.