To expect to be told days I'll be returning to work after maternity

[rcp27]

Hi,

AIBU to want to know now what days I'll be returning to work after my maternity is over in January?

I won't go into details of my job but I was working two days a week before my maternity and want to return to the same in January when I go back. I have emailed my boss as it's the easiest way to get hold of him. I asked if he could let me know what days I'd be doing when I go back and that I'd prefer to do the same as I did before my second child was born. I've had no reply.

I'm currently trying to sort out childcare for my two children and can't really do this without knowing the exact days. It's so frustrating. I would try to go into work but there's no guarantee he will be there as he works from a number of sites.

I don't want to constantly pester him but I really need to know so I can sort my home life out!

AIBU to expect him to tell me the days I'm working in good time so I can sort out childcare?

No you’re not being unreasonable. How long since you emailed him?

I thought that it was (or should be) a given that you return to the same role you left under the same conditions so in this case you should be working the same days as before by default (I think) It's only if you want something different that it needs to be agreed?

Phone him...?

Agree - phone him! Do you know he’s actually at work, he might be on holiday or off sick and no one is checking his email.

YANBU, however, if these days were agreed as part of a flexible working request, they are now contractual.You should be going back on exactly the same days you did prior to your leave. I don't believe they can make you change those days, unless you want to.

I would email confirming you'll be returning to work on the same terms as before you left and arranging childcare accordingly.

I have a friend who works in HR and they told me that unless everyone else’s hours have been changed, work has to give you the same hours going back.

Hi
Thanks for the replies.
He is quite hard to track down and I don't have his mobile number unfortunately. I will perhaps try emailing again.

I was part time before I went on mat leave and assumed they can change my days but keep the same hours. I'd ideally like to do the same days as I've got my 3 year old in a nursery place on one of those days which could technically be changed. It's the baby who has no arrangements yet that I'm concerned about. I have been in contact with childminders but without definite days it's impossible to organises

I would send him an email just saying that as you have had to arrange childcare ready for your return that you have assumed you will be returning to the same days and you will presume that is ok with him unless you hear otherwise within one week. Thenyou have an email trail of his lack of response to show HR should it become an issue.

I wouldn't use the word assume and presume. Just state that you will be returning to work as per your contractual days and working hours. If your boss wants to alter them, he'll be in touch.

If you've had more that 6 months off they need to keep your same hours but they can change your days. They also need to contact you 8 weeks (I think) before you return to work to finalise everything.

Sorry, I did mean shift pattern not amount of hours.