Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Keep getting asked about returning to work after maternity leave

10 replies

Paininmybuns · 11/12/2018 17:26

Been on maternity leave for 5 months. Keep getting asked by boss and colleagues when I'm coming back.

I'm not 100% sure on the dates myself yet, and would like to ask to return part time instead of full time.

Feels like there's a lot of pressure on me to suddenly give them a date.
AIBU to tell the truth and say I don't know yet and will be in touch after Christmas is over to discuss??

OP posts:
MrsL2016 · 11/12/2018 17:28

Definitely not bu. You only have to give so many weeks notice in writing of your return to work. Don't let them pressure you.

bertielab · 11/12/2018 17:29

They are trying to plan.

Do you have any rough idea -ie childcare in place etc to start in 6 months time? I said I was taking the full year on each of my maternity leave's. One I went 'back' 3 months early but didn't start for 3 months as I had so much holiday due. But other than that -either say 'I'll be in touch 4 weeks before I return' or else say in March hopefully or whatever -but I'll give more accurate date nearer the time.

MrsL2016 · 11/12/2018 17:29

It's 8 weeks. So if you are taking the full 52 weeks you have months before you have to tell them anything.

Confusedbeetle · 11/12/2018 17:30

To be fair to the boss you should have asked to discuss part-time. You might not know dates yet but you may have an idea to the nearest month or two? You will probably feel better about it yourself when you are closer to having a plan. A dilemma I never had as when you left to have a baby that was the end of your job. No maternity leave

BlingLoving · 11/12/2018 17:33

I don't understand the secrecy. Even if you tell them when you plan to come back, they can't hold you to it and you'll still need to inform them in writing a certain amount of time ahead.

I was advised by an executive coach that it's best to give your employer a sense of what you are planning. It's perfectly okay to make it clear that this is your CURRENT plan and t might change, but it gives them a better sense of what they should be considering in terms of cover etc. ie if you think you'll be at least another 2 months before you go back, say that and tell them your'e trying to work out what will behest for you and baby so you'll be in touch if you think it needs to be more.

Similarly, if you are considering going part time, perhaps its time to open that discussion informally. Why not explain to them that you're not sure of dates and one of your concerns is your'e wondering if there might hbe options for part time. Be honest that you haven't made a final decision, but see what their response is. It might be that they're pressuring you because they have more work coming and they're trying to work out how to m manage it so knowing that you're thinking about part time could impact how they hire for the extra etc.

BookwormMe · 11/12/2018 17:33

They are allowed to ask about your return, but they shouldn't be pressuring you – if it continues, speak to your HR dept to get them to back off. In the meantime, tell them you'll be in touch after Xmas to arrange a meeting to come in and discuss your return - that's when you put in your request for PT hours (usually you have to do it in writing too).

dementedpixie · 11/12/2018 17:42

They are supposed to assume you are taking the full year and you only need to give notice if your are going back early. You also need to give plenty of notice if you want to go part time - have you discussed it at all and is it even an option? Have you given the impression that you are going back earlier?

Original poster
Paininmybuns · 11/12/2018 17:46

Thanks everyone for all your help :D
I went to visit a month ago and was asked by my boss if I knew the dates yet, I said I wasn't sure then but we both agreed I still had plenty of time. Though why keep asking? Whilst I was there HR was ringing asking for dates too....
So what do you do when it's HR putting on the pressure?!

I think when they next contact me I'll say I'm not sure yet and will pop in after Christmas to discuss dates. Hopefully saying that again will have some effect.
Don't want to do anything wrong and have read up on how much notice they need.
They can take a max of 3 months to decide whether or not they can accommodate part time, so I have plenty of time at the moment.

OP posts:
BlingLoving · 11/12/2018 17:57

Paininmybuns - honestly, why not ask them why they need to know and, assuming the reason is valid, give them some idea? Say you're happy to discuss in more detail after Christmas but your'e currently thinking you'll be off for a total of at least 6 months or whatever.

As someone who had employees take maternity leave, I can't tell you how much easier it is when they at least gave me an idea of what they were planning.

Gth1234 · 11/12/2018 18:30

they will be finding it hard coping without you. They are either covering without employing, or have employed someone as a long term temp. Of course they would like an idea of when you might be going back.

I would talk to them, rather than think they are being unreasonable. It might suit them to have you on a part time basis

New posts on this thread. Refresh page