can't stop blubbering and it's all about work again.....rant alert :(

[Galaxy]

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Hi Galaxy, sorry to see this is all going so pants for you, have you had a look at your right to request flexible working hours
www.tiger.gov.uk/
which your company have to consider these days (even if they tell you to bugger off in the end!)
Speaking as an ex-manager myself (now self employed! my choice! you could always be mad and try that!) make yourself as hard to deal with as possible! I know I shouldn't recommend this, but it makes me really angry when I hear about staff being miss managed! when that's what bosses are paid to do!!!!
Do not give up your job and do not let them make you feel forced out of it, if you have been employed for any length of time, for the co to get rid of you, they will have to follow disciplinary procedures, which will be set out in your contract. If they try to go down this line, take in representation with you, its your right.
Get HR on your side, remember they are there to work for you too, go straight to them for info, bypass the boss. (who sounds like a tosser)
In the meantime if you feel they are stressing you out too much, do as everyone else has suggested, play dirty and go sick, I've had people off with stress for 2 years! its a pain for the company to cover, but they are not making your life nice for you, and they stil have to pay you for the 1st year!!
If your company and your boss value their staff (it doesn't sound like they do or at least your immediate boss doesn't), they should do eveything they can to make you want to go into work, and will be flexible to your requirements within reason (as per the law bit above)
Good luck, go gettem girl ;0)

Hi galaxy, im really sorry to hear things are getting worse. Just wanted to say that a friend of mine was in a similar position and ended up with a breakdown which left her very much out of action for 9 weeks. She is getting better now but sufferd things like memory loss, is it possible to see your doc and get a bit of time off to take things easy? Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, have just had a flick through quickly, getting a bit tired now! Take care x

Galaxy I have just read your thread and I am disgusted at the way you have been treated, I had a similar situation myself 3 years ago when I tried to return to social services after my maternity leave, in a nutshell my life was made very difficult and I ended up resigning, they had even insisted I attend training courses whilst on maternity leave!!!I now on maternity leave from the Nhs( i am a nurse) and they have been brilliant, the hospital I work at even has family friendly working hours.The point here is that your boss doesnt seem to up to speed on emp[loyment law at all and the way the company is behaving is bordering on illegal.ALL companies have to consider a request for flexible working hours from parents, you are also entitled to time off on compassionate grounds with respect to children.You are also entitled to up to 13 weeks unpaid leave if you have a child under the age of 5( i think its 5) you can take this leave in lots of different blocks and your employer is not allowed to deliberately refuse if it is feasible that you could take this time off.I almost feel that you are the victim of sex discrimination and I think it would be helpful to check out the DTI website on www.dwp.gov.uk. where you can check out all your working rights and your employers legal obligations.My husband managies a Garden Centre and he has kept me up to speed on all the current changes in employment law. You could also try Parents at work on www.parentsatwork.org.uk or 0207 253 7243,I hope this is of some help to you. Oh and for your employer I would like to say%"*$%%!!!!!!!!!

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hi again galaxy, sorry your feling down i havent seen this thread before xxxxxxxxhugsxxxxxxxxxxxx

Group policy can't WHAT?! utter *'s if he carries on at the rate he'll be trying to back track at tribunal. Please ensure that you are making a note of everything they say to you, dates, times, places. It'll back you up if you get forced to take any further action...and it'll really put the wind up them ;0)
Good luck and hugs

I haven?t seen this thread before either, Galaxy, but am so sorry to see what a horrible, stressful time you are having.

If you love your job but hate the working conditions and the negative impact it has on your family life, fight for it. If necessary, go over your bosses head and speak directly to his boss. Map out all your concerns on paper, do your hmwk and give a copy to him in advance for his consideration and ask for him to meet to discuss them at his earliest convenience. If you go about it carefully and make them see what a huge asset you are to their company and have the legal facts to your disposal then you might get a positive result. Worth a stab. After all, your immediate boss might be saying a sweeping no to you because he doesn?t have the skills, foresight, knowledge or even the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the contract with you. All he seems to be seeing is that it works for others so it should work for you. If you show the right person exactly why it is unreasonable in a calm, logical way and give them alternative ideas then surely they would at least consider your argument. If not, at least you know you have gone as far as you can and leave them and their narrow minded, short sighted ways behind and look for a job with a better company.

If you do have to take a salary cut, it needn?t be the end of the world. I was the main breadwinner in our family and became a full time mum - hard work, had to come up with unbelievable money saving madness to cut back but is worth it as we have a better lifestyle. We never thought we would cope with our mortgage but careful management and a couple of long evenings spent doing the sums can work wonders. You can save on so much - child care, working clothes, shoes, makeup, manicures etc., work expenses, food bills are lower as you have more time to prepare food from scratch, fewer presents to buy for office colleagues/outfits for work "dos", can do your own DIY, camping holidays rather than hotels etc. etc. Honestly, it might not be that bad if it comes to it chin up

Galaxy I really really hope you find some way to resolve this problem. I can imagine how you are feeling. Personally I would look at getting signed off sick, if only for a few days to get your head straight. However in the meantime Just keep looking for that new job, keep your chin up (not easy) and try to keep professional.

Just to give you an idea of what happened to me, I was owrking in London, went back after 2nd Mat leave to find new bosses and a totally different atmosphere. I had to leave 'on time' every day which was hugely frowned upon (not even early!!) and was accused of not being able to do my job. Finally after they tried to fire me (went through all sorts of disiplinary procedures) and I proved they wanted me to work longer hours than I was contracted for (my targets meant that I had to work overtime!) I made them get rid of me. They had to pay me off (about £6K plus bonus tax free). As luck would have it found another job witha massive 30% salary drop (I am also main breadwinner) but it was 10 mins form home. 2 years on and I now earn more than I ever did and am still 10 mins from home. I hope that shows you short term pain can be long term gain. Good Luck