Help me cut my hours to part time after maternity leave please!

[Stillmonday]

I'm due to go back to work end of jan after a years maternity leave. I desperately don't want to go back but at a push I'll do 2 days a week.
We've worked out finances and all pros and cons and this would work best for our family.

Trouble is I don't know how to ask if I can reduce my hours. My workplace doesn't really like part timers and I'm the only person that does my job there so I'm not sure they will allow me to cut my hours.

How do I ask?? 'Would it be possible...' or
'I can only do these days..'

How would you word it?

Your workplace will have a form to fill in, or else check on the gov.uk websites where it tells you about your rights to flexible working.

They can refuse for a business reason - do you think the other half of your job would appeal to someone?

Yes I think it's appealing as my job could be split in 2 very easily. I just know how awkward my work can be.

I just asked my boss on an email and luckily she said yes its more hours than I wanted but atleast I have a job. I think they have to offer returning workers part time or reduced hours when asked unless they have a serious reason theres a document with loads of rights about asking for part time cant remember what it's called though. Just ask and go from there

There will be an official process. The business then decides if they can support it. 2 days is unusual imo, 3 more standard. Can you fulfill the rule p/t? Will they need to recruit someone for the other 3 days?

At my work if you have enhanced maternity pay you have to go back so many weeks full time first.

I would imagine the girl covering now would want the other half of my job.

Yes, check about your entitlement to retain your enhanced maternity pay if you go back pt, where I worked it was pro-rata'd to the hours you did when you came back for the first two years of your return. Also think about your annual leave accrued while off and how you will use that up. You need to make a business case for how it will work, benefits of a jobshare, how will handover between you and the other person work etc.

You have to put in a formal request and legally they have to consider it. If you can find someone who might be interested in the hours you would surrender and so jobshare that may strengthen your case.

Although there are many advantages to part time eg if your baby is sick you can make up the time on other days or even could come in at pressured times (obv childcare permitting) and it keeps you in the work place which is a healthy thing for you not to be dependent or give up your career ... ... the employer has twice as much training, supervision, admin, and American companies are known for preferring full time.

Good luck.

I work in payroll, I don't need to pay back maternity pay.