To request WFH after Mat Leave ends

[Workdilemmahelp]

Hello, just want some thoughts & advice:

Before mat leave I was working in the office 5 days a week, in my final month of pregnancy I worked from home full time (was advised by HR due to working in healthcare/covid risk)

I am due to return to work in a few months and previously emailed in to see if I could WFH 3x a week, and office x2 due to nursery costs - I can only really afford to send DS twice a week. My mum is able to help look after DS on days I WFH, but cannot help full time as she also works mornings and late afternoons.

HR have said it is not fair on other staff and to work effectively I would need to be in the office more days than I WFH.

AIBU? What can I do?

The poster has explained her employer is happy with her work so it seems to be working for her. Stop getting so worked up.

People are being unfair. A baby or young child- yes. But an older child doesn't need constant clubs, activities stimulation fgs they can entertain themselves for a few hours with toys, tv, games, siblings

And just because your at work doesn't mean you have a ball gag in. You're allowed to get up, talk to your children, make them food, play a quick game, help them with homework, walk to the park, go to a cafe etc

@Winterday1991 Employer doesn’t know what she’s up to. You can be happy with someone’s work but if you find out they’re committing gross misconduct you’re still going to sack them. If it’s really no big deal, she should tell the employer and then everyone knows if they’re “happy” or not.

Few employers would be keen on the insurance ramifications of a child being ignored and getting injured whilst parent is “working”.

@mooongooose That poster is talking about a young child, though. And whilst her other kids are now older, it sounds as though she’s been educating them at home whilst working for some time.

I have to ! My boss doesn’t know. I feel dreadful but there’s no choice.
during pregnancy I slowed down what I was getting done really gradually so that I was never working to full potential yet still working to an average level so that once I was going to be returning after mat leave they only expected so much. I’m reality what I’m doing is now going at a pace where I can work and get the amount done they have come to expect from me and also look after ds and not need to send him to nursery.
Any meetings and dh looks after ds as his work is quite flexible

So nobody gets the attention they deserve?

Your job who are paying you for doing a job you are barely doing.
Your baby who cannot be properly tended to when you are scamming a wage and doing the bare minimum all day.
Your homeschooled children who basically home school themselves.
Your friend who calls over to help you look after your child and has to shout into you from the other room.

Everyone suffers.

Just utterly disgraceful. You WILL be found out. Nobody gets away with that kind of a pisstake forever.

I don't see any reference from the OP to the DC's dad or the other grandparents that could be around. DC's dad starting later or adjusting hours on one or two days a week, or funding the extra childcare needed? This could mean the 9-230 option for another team member could be considered.

Compressed hours, working Tuesday-Saturday, are other options that come to mind. I don't see the employer moving on the number of days you should go into the office.

@MintCho so you're part time, your DH does the childcare, so do you actually work and do childcare at the same time?

Your posts are confusing?

What is your guilt about?

I do have days of feeling bad yes but I tell myself I shouldn’t and get on as what’s the alternative . I don’t feel bad in the sense I’m doing the required work I do feel bad in that I haven’t got actual permission

Ok, I haven't followed ask the posts. I'd say from school age it's doable but not on a regular basis.

Yes a lot of the time dh is out working or doing stuff with older dc . If I have a meeting he always has ds though as I wouldn’t get away with that !

And just because your at work doesn't mean you have a ball gag in. You're allowed to get up, talk to your children, make them food, play a quick game, help them with homework, walk to the park, go to a cafe etc

Are you taking the mick? Go to the park? To a cafe? During the work day??? Just shut up shop and take off? Don't be ridiculous.

Everyone is trying to get by OP.
Most people, however, don't cheat their employers by homeschooling, chatting, playing and looking after a new baby on company time and at someone else's expense.

You really are giving those who genuinely wfh a bad reputation.

@MintCho you're very sneaky then.. you're doing what you think you can get away with.

You'd likely get scared if they find out.

And to advocate that another mother does it, is plain wrong,

I'm going back with 2 under 3. My DH works shifts and nursery fees are exorbitant BUT I've done a flexible roster and reduced as much as I can. Think it's a 70% pattern I will work. We don't have family to help. You have to make it work, plenty of families in the same position. WFH with a child isn't fair. You won't manage work or being a mum. Totally get it is a huge balance and it's hard, nursery is expensive but you're employer is right I think

Anyway hiding this thread now and namechanging so if I post about my job I don’t end up getting reported !!!

Exactly, just take a stroll out, whenever it suits! No problem!

Your employer does deserve to know, if want too.

Is that employee in the office or working from home 9-230pm?

God this thread has really pissed me off.

I would employ you in a heartbeat @MintCho

Most staff are mediocre and that's with or without additional responsibilities. Many are worse than mediocre. Not many can juggle small children, home schooling and meet all targets of the job.

Working from home is wonderful for employees but not clients, of big companies that is, like Government depts, utilities, etc.drives me potty trying to get anything resolved

But you’re not doing anything wrong according to you.

In reality it’s time theft and you could be reported to the police in some industries. Check your contract.

You’re a fucking chancer who ruins wfh for others by pulling shit like this, and you’re setting an absolutely terrible example for your children.