Returning full time after maternity leave and hoping to find part-time work

[Treetoprobin]

I am due to go back to work after mat leave with DC2 in July. My work rejected my request to work x4 days a week and I am feeling miserable about going back full time and leaving my babies in nursery full time. I don’t have to work as DH earns enough but I feel I should for obvious reasons like pension, maintaining a career, own income etc. I am happy to find a PT job with a paycut but they seem few and far between. I know it’s futile but I cry every morning and night when DCs are asleep. I feel awful. I suppose Im here for encouragement for finding a PT job eventually.

I decided not to appeal the request as they gave me valid business reasons.

Support worker? Hours can be quite flexible with options of condensing hours too. They’re desperate for them!

@butteronmyface support worker in what capacity?

What job do you do at the moment? Do you need to work office hours or can you be flexible? weekends/evening?

What is your current job? That will drive things a lot.

I wonder if it's worth applying for full time roles and then discussing with them if you can go part time of you get through? I know that's probably a bit of a long process.

Otherwise could you take a days holiday every week for now? See if you can buy more holiday/take unpaid leave?
If needed you could burn out from the stress and get signed off for two weeks around the time you want a holiday... (Appreciate others will criticise that)

Just re-read your OP and realised you've not gone back yet. You should have lots of accrued holiday so you can definitely aim to take one day a week if they can allow it.

@Growingaseed they won’t allow it as they need someone in all 5 days. Also, it’s not easy adding a day with childcare then as they have a big waiting list.

I am looking at fulltime now yes and will inquire about p/t.

What do you do?

do they really need someone 5 days? If so can you suggest 2/3 which would allow a job share? Sometimes 4 is hard to manage as can’t cover the 5th

We’ve just taken on someone 25 hours a week. It was through a temp agency, but we’ll be making it permanent. It’s only minimum wage, mind.

My ex DH works in pharmaceuticals which again he got into accidentally through temping.

@MJagain I'm in digital marketing. Often think about working for myself but not put off by the thought of having to build a solid client base. The company I work for prefer having a single person owning the space I work in. They're just not flexible at all when it comes to job share and working part time etc.