Returning back to work

[Africad]

I'm currently on maternity leave after having my twin girls. I'm due to return after 12 months give or take a few extra weeks of statutory leave in Sept.
I wrote a letter to my employer to request a change to my contract, to reduce from 37.5hrs per 5 day week, to 30 hrs over 4 days.
I went in last week to discuss this only to be told they cannot accommodate this as the need someone full time. But they have offered me to perform a specific project work lasting 6 months after which their potentially could be no job afterwards. NO GUARANTEE. So my options are go back full time. Or part time for 6 months. (It felt like they were trying to find something for me short term but want me to find a job and leave if I can't do full time).

I'm a quality manager, it was a new position for the company when I started and I basically work alone. I've asked in the past for support as their was too much work for one person but that was not an option then and doesnot look like an option now.

I'm unsure what to do.. and also to understand can they do this!! I mean take me back for only 6 mths then tell me to leave?

From my understanding, you have the right to return to exactly the same job in the same conditions (hours) as you had before maternity leave. You also have the right to request a change to these conditions. Your employer must consider your request, but is able to decline it if it’s not going to work for the business/organisation. They can offer you a different job with different conditions, which is what yours has done. So I think it’s legal, but is pretty rubbish for you. Not sure what I’d do tbh, full time with 1 year old twins sounds a lot, but could you cope if after 6 months you were out of work for a while?

That's my dilemma at the moment. The uncertinty of not having a job in 6 months is frightening. Or just picking any old job that's offered even if it's not totally suitable is also a worry.
I'm going to try and negotiate with them...maybe working 5 days but just shorter days 9-4:30 (30mins lunch) instead of 8:30-5 (1hr lunch).
Do you think that's doable in your opinion?

I think it's totally doable. You need to pitch it to them as a business deal. So how will help them as a business? How will it help you?

The main thing is that if they allow you to come back on part time or reduced hours then they retain a skilled member of their team and don't have to incur any new recruitment costs.

Have a look at Pregnant Then Screwed for some tips about returning to work as a parent - hope it goes well!

Or ask them to trial you on part time hours for three months? Then if it's not working you can go up to full time?

In this situation I’d go back full time and then look for another job

Thanks ladies. I may still talk to them about reducing my day slightly (30mins a day) just so that I can drop them off and pick them up on an evening from nursery. But still look for another job. Giving me job security for as long as I need to find another job.

I’d recommend using accrued holiday to go down to 4 days a week for a couple of months and see how it goes.

If it goes well, you can prove that you can do the job in 4 days, if not then at least you had a couple of months of 4 day weeks.

There’s a really good Facebook group called Flexible Parents like me or something like that. I’ll get you a link. Would advise posting in there for specific advice from a ton of parents going through the same.

It’s called Flexible Working for People Like Me. There’s a community group and a private group but it’s run by the same person. It was incredibly helpful for me and I found my current, awesomely flexible fintech role through there as the woman who runs it posts roles from companies guaranteeing flexible working. All sorts of professional roles. I really recommend joining. If nothing else, you might find a new role that suits your needs better.

If you’ve previously said that there’s too much work for you to do in 37 hours it’s hard to see why they’d agree to reduced hours. What case can you make to explain how all the work can be covered on a part time basis?