Going back to work and AL

[Allthesweets]

Hi all,

Starting another thread for this. Returning to work in mid July. I have accrued around 42 days AL including bank holidays and leave for the second quarter of 2023.

Id like to use these days to work 3 days a week for the period they last (around end of Nov), rather than extend mat leave into Sep. Is this a reasonable request and can my employer refuse?

Thanks

I personally think it’s reasonable, but they can refuse. Any a/l request can be, and this way of taking it may be more operationally disruptive than taking full weeks.

It is a reasonable request but in theory they can refuse! I did exactly this when I went back to work after my first baby. Seems like it's an ideal compromise as otherwise in theory you could stay off for another month and a half and it's a nice transition back into work.

Yes they can refuse, but no harm in asking. I went back from maternity leave and used my holiday to work 3 days a week for about 6 weeks.

It's a reasonable request, I did exactly the same when coming back and it was a good choice. Made it easier to ease into work mode.

It is a reasonable request, and I have done it. My management changed during the agreed AL-using-up-period, and my new manager said they wouldn't have approved it, but would honour it as it had already been approved by previous manager.

Two managers would have made two different decisions. Both would have been within the rules. So I guess it depends on your manager!

this type of arrangement was not accepted by HR for a colleague. I assume this was policy because no one asked me (as her manager) - I would have happily signed off on it as it suits our area.

I believe the thinking is that it’s easier to extend a maternity leave cover than find someone for a couple of days a week for a few months.

I think it depends if they've had a mat cover in or they've been coping amongst themselves. If they have to get rid of the cover because you're back, but you're only working 3 days, that might be tricky.

Exactly @MuggleMe

We didn’t have cover for my colleague - though policy is that we do, it wasn’t easy to find - hence I would have liked her back earlier but part time

I think it might also be to do with not having a flexible work agreement by stealth - if a woman did this pattern and then put in a 3 day a week request, it would be harder to argue against it if the employer wanted.

Hmm I see. I guess I really don’t want to go back in full time straight away, especially to be able to ease my son into nursery (my mum will have him one day), but I also don’t want to extend my leave into mid Sep. My manager hasn’t replied so I imagine they are mulling it over.

Are employers required to try and be flexible to mums returning from ML?

Thanks all :)

I don’t think there would be a specific maternity consideration for this, no.