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?

WFH has been the single biggest game changer for me as a disabled person who works her arse off, and I’ll be so angry when these pisstakers get it taken away from me

Fortunately, fitzwilliamdarcy, you can reasonably expect a certain level of adjustment because disability is a protected characteristic

Parenthood isn't, and looking at some of the posts on here it's only too easy to see why it's unlikely to become one any time soon

Some of these comments, wow.

Because?

Yes it appears so. I am waiting for the “and what is more to all you doubters I am also running my successful mini cab office/sex chat line/ MLM beauty company as well, so ner” comment to pop up.

Exactly this!

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

Yeah…you know you’re actually not though right?! FFS how is it so hard to understand that working means, you know, working?!!!

What planet are some people on, it’s actually embarrassing to hear women go on like this! This is the reason for the gender play gap, right here. Workshy skivers who can’t afford the SAHM lifestyle they aspire to 🤦🏼‍♀️

You would employ someone who openly admits to theft and fraud? Well, if (big if) you’re a manager you sound as utterly inept and incapable as @MintCho

Because WFH is a game changer for me and other disabled people and if it gets removed due to people taking the piss I’m going to be gutted.

Do you realise you are saying you want your employer to accept they will pay you to work while you look after your baby at the same time because its cheaper for you than childcare? Unfort you will need to look for another solution - do you have a spare room can you hire a live in nanny as they are cheaper.

Why did you crop 60% of my post where I said NOT for a baby? Why are you so angry? Maybe you're just jealous because others take lunch breaks and aren't chained to their desk all day, try taking a breather.

Thank you @Puzzledandpissedoff - that has helped me calm down!

@fitzwilliamdarcy then I whole heartedly agree and sympathise with you, as always it's the few that ruin it for the majority.

You won’t tell your boss because you know you would be sacked

Come on now, WearYourTiara, the PP did say their employer was entirely happy with their work

Which funnily enough is what most of the pisstakers say .... often just before the disciplinary starts

You said you've been slowing things down since you were pregnant. I'm sure you think you're very clever, but you do realise everyone will know, everyone always knows the ones who are taking the piss. I hope you get fired soon, you deserve it. Who doesn't have a plan (and a back up plan) for childcare after their baby is born. I seriously despair for your child.

Some of you really need to calm down. You’re being wound up on purpose ffs and giving those on other forums exactly what they want. They’ve got you all worked up as planned. 🤭😂

That’s exactly what I told them when I stopped being a neurosurgeon. Honestly, just because they were paying me £100.000 a year they thought they owned me. I said, it’s called work life balance and it makes me a better person, a better parent and, those of my patients still capable of speech say , a better doctor.

Everyone having a go at OP...the massive problem here is unaffordable childcare. When I was studying, I had the choice of working from home with the baby (its studying not work) but it was impossible, so I had to work nights to pay for childcare in the day so i could work.

I think its a shame for mothers to have a go at other mothers for trying to find ways round this insane system. We have the highest childcare costs in the developed world.

Well, you won't get the chance because she is going to name-change now, so that nobody figures out who she really is and shops her to her boss.

We are a very flexible employer and work hard to support work-life balance and family / caring responsibilities. We offer hybrid working and flexible working.

The odd hour with a baby at home and time made up is okay. Taking a break to walk children to or from school is okay. A pragmatic solution in an emergency is okay. Caring full time for a primary age child isn’t okay - it’s explicitly covered in our hybrid working policy.

Hybrid isn’t contractual and those who abuse it are required to return to full time in the office.

You wouldn’t be able to WFH and look after your child so yes YABU. You need to sort out childcare.

You're very welcome, fitzwilliamdarcy, but rather than deserving thanks I was really only speaking the truth. Most responsible employers can easily see the difference between pisstakers and the those genuinely doing their best, and IME most respond accordingly

Me too - although I don't actually believe MintCho's nonsense.

She can't even keep her story straight.

“also, another employee works 9am - 2:30pm (so she can do school run) and is allowed to make up her hours in the evening at home. So why am I not allowed?”

because you haven’t asked to do that…

It wasn't the OP who said that - it was MintCho.

@Puzzledandpissedoff as a disabled person and parent I find your post re PCs offensive I chose to have my children, I did not choose to have a disability! Parenthood is a choice PCs aren't, that's partly why they are PCs!