What would you do?

[Newmum26]

I'm due to go back to work after taking the full year off with my first baby at the end of May.
I was full time before I had him and worked mon - fri 9-6 and 1 in 4 Saturday mornings until 1pm.
I want to go back 2 days a week and have the two days together.
My manager informed me that business has decreased in my brand since I had left and they are over staffed, so not much need there for me now. However I have been offered another branch's two days a week.
BUT the days are Thurs & Fri and then Fri & Sat on alternate weeks 🤔 Saturdays are until 5pm.
I'm peeved that I've been offered the 'gaps' as I know they will be trying to put me where ever is short for them.
My dilemma is, Financially I do not 'need' to go back we could manage comfortably but I wanted to keep my hand in and it would be extra pennies what ever.
I'm not sure I want to work every other Saturday all day as I'm worried about missing family time with my husband and little boy as weekends are obviously time you can spend together and do family things.
But then if I don't go back and have some time out of work then I'm worried about getting back 'into' work again down the line 🤨
What are your thoughts?
Thanks for reading x

[confusedandemployed]

Did you receive enhanced maternity pay which you'd have to pay back if you don't return?
If so, I'd go back for the required period and look for something else in the meantime.

If not I'd start looking for something else now and not go back.

[LIZS]

They have to offer you the position you left. If business needs have changed you may be entitled to redundancy.

[Newmum26]

But the position I left is Full time so because I want to go back part time they only have to offer me my old job is that right?
X

[Newmum26]

Confusedandemployed
I am not sure I will have to check 🤔
Would you not be happy about those days I've been offered with a family? X

[LIZS]

You are still entitled to your ft role. You can make a flexible working request to go pt and that is their response. At least Saturdays would not incur childcare costs.

[confusedandemployed]

@LIZS not strictly true after a year. When you go back to work after taking some Additional Maternity Leave (AML) (any part of the second six months of maternity leave) you have the right to return to your old job on your old terms and conditions unless it is “not reasonably practicable”, in which case your employer must offer you a suitable alternative job on similar terms and conditions (from Working Families).

And no OP I wouldn't be too happy.

[flippertygibbett]

I'd take it to keep your hand in while you look elsewhere?

In regards family time lost think of it as only 2 days out of 8 each month, you still have two full weekends plus the Sundays on the weekends you work?