Returning to work... advice required

[kd73]

I am currently on maternity leave taking the full year, 3 months of which will be unpaid. I have agreed with my manager my reduced hours and this is agreed in principle subject to another managers approval, however the email states they will contact me if there is a problem and welcoming me back on x date.

My partner made his flexible working application which was agreed in principle with his manager and HR to commence wef 01/09. However this was subject to another managers agreement. Two weeks before it comes into force, he is advised that he working from home is not a viable option after all but can reduce his hours. This is despite him working 10+ hrs regularly each week for no pay. They have now agreed to review the matter again and will discuss it again in 3 months time!

I subsequently returned to my employer to get clarity on my position and they have basically said that they can not agree anything until 6 weeks before I return to work. Obviously this makes childcare options very limiting as we simply don't know what we are doing...

Has anyone had a similar experience and can offer any advice on whether leaving it until 6 weeks before you return is normal?

[kd73]

bump

[flowerybeanbag]

Sometimes people do want to make requests months in advance, even before they go on mat leave. In those situations it's reasonable for an employer to delay deciding because it's impossible for them to know realistic business requirements that far in advance.

However this sounds like something different. When did you put in your formal application? There is a timescale they need to stick to, see here.