Return to work - help!

[user1484688103]

Hi! New to mumsnet and hoping for some opinions and advice on my current situation.

I left work almost a year ago on mat leave to have my LG born March 2016, my return to work date is 13th Feb 2017.

I sent an email to my line manager 3rd November stating my preference would be to return on a PT basis but I would be happy to return FT if PT wasn't the company's preference.

I did not get a reply to this email until 23rd December where my line manager stated he was no longer my LM and gave me details of the person who is.

I emailed that person 28th December to ask whether or not my PT request had been agreed (and additionally where I will be based as my company have 6 offices locally) I am yet to have a response.

So I got in touch with HR last week to ask if they could give me any info, they haven't come back to me.

I go back to work in just under 4 weeks and I don't particularly want to cause an issue BUT, I feel like by their non responses I may legitimately have a claim for maternity discrimination (due to lack of response to my PT request). I am thinking of penning and email to head of HR to state I feel I may be pushed into resigning because I don't know the details of my return and therefore cannot organise childcare (I do have a nursery organised but feel that's not the point, if they do allow me to return PT I am already committed to paying FT care for my LG)

Just looking for opinions I guess- WWYD!? Thanks in advance!

[BackforGood]

Well, I'd pick up the phone and speak to them. Explain you've been trying to get an answer since November, and obviously need to get childcare sorted, etc.

[user1484688103]

Thanks! Yea I have been procrastinating about calling them to try and keep everything in writing but you're right, a call is warranted!

[EggnogChai]

I thought you would need to submit a proper flexible working request rather than just a 'can I return part time' email?

[user1484688103]

Absolutely, but according to the company's flexible working request procedure you are unable to submit a formal PT request form without including agreement in writing from your line manager, which is what I don't have.

[girlelephant]

I think you need to pick up the phone to chase. I understand wanting things in writing but don't understand why you didn't chase after the first email to at least get a timescale of response.

[flowery]

You don't have a claim for maternity discrimination just because 3 people haven't promptly responded to your 3 emails, all to different people. Neither would you be justified in saying you are 'pushed into resigning'. it has been your choice to procrastinate rather than ringing and/or putting in a formal request.

Put a formal flexible working request in anyway, and ring your line manager as well, asking when you can expect to hear from him/her and notifying him/her that you've put in a formal request .

If they refuse your formal request because you haven't got pre-agreement you can easily demonstrate that you attempted to get that agreement but in the absence of a response and given the timescales involved, had to continue with a formal request.