To think they should let come back part time after maternity leave?

[Muddytoes1]

Just spoken to my boss who thinks it’s unlikely my request will be granted. I don’t understand because I work in a very large organisation who have always been very flexible on other matters. Before I left to have my baby my boss said she’d be happy to discuss part time work on my return. My job is not a particularly challenging one and could be easily divided into a job share or reduce my hours. I know job shares are tricky in that it creates more work for managers but it’s only an admin role and it’s a huge department so don’t think it would be that hard. I feel so sad as I went part time after first baby and I want to be able to do the same for this one. I would leave and try and find something else but then I’d have to pay my maternity pay back (the enhanced bit) plus I don’t want to leave, it’s a good job and I like it. AIBU?

I've had the same.

Manager has told me she wont offer anything less than 3 days.. 3 days was my ideal anyway and wouldnt want any less as I cant afford it. But I was abit taken aback that she point blank refused any less.

In your request did you put how you plan to mitigate the impact on your team and organisation? Did they give you a proper business reason as to why they turned your request down?

What is the reason it may be refused?

It’s not as simple as just hiring someone new. It doesn’t cost half of your salary it costs more. But you haven’t applied yet just going off your managers opinion. Apply/request formally for reduced hours and ask the reasons if it is rejected and see if any flexibility

YANBU to ask
Only YABU to expect it

@PoppingOneOutIn2020

An awful lot of companies do not want people less than 3 days, really as it means they miss out on meetings/training but 3 days is still part time. I don’t think that’s unreasonable!

Would they consider compressed hours?

AIBU is the worst place for employment advice.

Your employer has to consider your request. They do not have to agree it and there is a set of clear business reasons why they may not.

You may have applied on the basis that it’s better for you. You need to spell out how it’s better for them as well.

Thanks for the replies. No I haven’t applied formally yet but was having an initial discussion before formally applying (at her suggestion). We did discuss how I would be able to complete the role to which I think the best way is to split it as my job breaks up very well. I think this would be better than reducing hours however totally understand the point about increased costs of a job share. I think it would be difficult to do compressed hours as my commute is 1hr 15 each way so if I was to do this I would have to leave before kids up and be gone after they were in bed which wouldn’t be ideal though yes possible I guess. I know they don’t have to grant this I just feel frustrated as when I started they went on loads about what a flexible organisation they were. Right well I guess I need to stop moaning and actually formally request it and see what happens. Thanks again!

Is their scope to WFH at all? Is their scope for your partner to reduce his hours for a bit to help?

So you have been full time, then part time and then full time again and now want part time again?

I can kind of see why your manager won't grant this request. You can't keep changing back and forth.

Or were you in a different job with DC1?

Yanbu to want the to.

Yabu to just expect them to because you want it

You may think it's not that hard, but they may not agree. It is more work to keep track of who is coming and going, and they might not have the right combination of people with whom they can divide up the work properly. I think it's okay for you to ask, but I also think it's okay for them to say no.

Try again , present a business case and negotiate
Otherwise go back 4 days

Two part timers cost more than one person which is why companies are often reluctant to agree. I assume they can show a business need for you not to do part time?

Bibijayne no company I ever worked for would agree to a member of staff working from home unless they were assured that child/ren were in childcare and not being looked after by the parent who is supposed to be working.