Not returning to work after mat leave

[Cchloe7849]

Hi all

I am due to return to work in a few weeks. I worked full time before I went on mat leave and have requested to drop down to part time when I return so I can leave my baby with family members 2 days a week. I have been told that my request has been refused and I’m not not able to go part time I have to go back full time. The issue is I don’t have childcare for full time! Especially right now during the pandemic because the family who were going to look after baby whilst I worked, now can’t as we are social distancing. Partner is working from home and was going to work around little one whilst I worked 2 days a week until we’re back to normal and family are able to look after her whilst we both went to work. I’m now totally lost at what to do. We can’t afford nursery. Has anyone ever found themselves in a position where they are physically unable to return to work after mat leave and did you still have to pay it all back? I know you don’t have to pay back SMP but employers make you if you don’t return for 3 months.

Ignore the unhelpful comments.

Can you ask to speak to HR and put your part time request forward in a formal way?

Did you have any conversation at all with your employer before going on maternity leave about returning to work part time? In my experience, it would be very unusual NOT to have had this conversation at some point as they would want to know your return to work plans as early as possible. If they agreed, even verbally rather than in writing, then you have a strong case to argue that it has already been agreed and it would make it much harder for them to now turn around and say no!

Going from 5 days down to 2 is a massive drop. Could you negotiate 4 days, or 3 long days?

You could then have baby with your parents 2 days, 2 days at nursery, or maybe your OH could do down to 4 days too?

@Cchloe7849 on here most will scaremong and tell you to keep your job even if it isn't a career because if you become a SAHM you are screwed with no pension and how will you get a nother job ever again and taxed blah blah blah etc etc etc.
Well my advice is do what works best for you and your family. I worked full time for a awful manager and the job itself was not what i would class as a career or job worth leaving my tiny baby who had a rough start in the world for. I was lucky that I hadnt taken the OMP so didn't have anything to pay back and I left right at end of maternity leave, it was the least they owed me after the way I was treated during pregnancy. I was married, shared accounts with dh and will look for work when dc are I'm school and ill be prepared not to be choosy with what I can get and to do some online courses nearer time to refresh my skills.

I would check your contract because if you have to pay the OMP (this is the money your employer use to top your SMP maternity pay up) back it is including tax and a lot of money. The SMP is what the government give you so you wont need to pay that back.

Are you sure you need to return to your employer after maternity? I worked for a bank I got 3 months 90% pay 6 months smp i chose not to return after mat leave i didn't need to pay anything back.
You need to go to your HR and request flexible working application, it's my understanding that they have to trial any request and then review after the trial if its working for the needs of the business or not. I didn't think they could flat out say no straight away. It may well be they let you return part time like you requested then after a trial period can come to you and say why it's not working for the business and then you both need to reassess and go from there. Definitely speak to HR and union for advice.

What job do you have? Can it be done from home? If so, you and your partner halve the days and have the baby 50% and work the other 50%.

Finding out at 14 weeks isn't that late on. Many people don't realise they're pregnant for a couple of months. You still had another 26 weeks to talk to your employer about your intentions post birth/mat leave.

There have been lots of good suggestions here. As a couple you should be able to figure something out. The best suggestions are for you both to work a condensed week (say 5 days in 4), that way no-one loses income, you both do the same amount of work so employer doesn't lose out, and you keep your costs down.

I think timing is actually perfect
There is no childcare for anyone atm so your partner just works from home with baby, like most parents in the uk right now, and you go back to work full time. Gives you longer to try and get reduced hours. I have my toddler home (i work full time) and it ia hard to get my hours in but is what it is atm

Look at long term, nursery costs isn't forever and your earning could stall/reduce if you are out of work for years.

In normal circumstances I would appeal this decision. I thought they had to have a better reason to decline reduced hours after ML than the one they have given you. However, if they need full time and you insist on part time, it does make you more vulnerable to redundancies that may be likely soon. How long have you been there? Thinking along those lines, if redundancies may be likely in the coming recession, you may kick yourself for resigning and be better off going back for now.

I would find a childminder.

With so much economic uncertainty I would be holding onto your full time job with both hands.