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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

"It'll only take 15 minutes". REALLY?!

11 replies

Aworryingtrend · 30/04/2012 12:08

Grr! Need to vent about work. I am due 13th october and my boss is sticking his head in the sand and refusing to discuss it. I requested today that we set up a meeting in the next couple of weeks to discuss my maternity cover and return to work (he doesn't know it yet but I will be asking to go part-time). his response was "I suppose we can have a quick chat about it, it should only take 15 minutes, there's not a lot to say".

Really? To discuss how logn I'l be off for, how that might be covered, what might happen when I come back...that'll take 15 minutes?!

Maybe I am being a bit over-sensitive. I just feel like I have done everything I can for work- told them straight away, havent asked for any special treatment, just got on as normal, and that they aren't prepared to give me the time of day to discss what is a fairly major change.

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FluffyJawsOfDoom · 30/04/2012 12:12

I think he's right tbh - you shouldn't be discussing your return to work yet, a lot can change in 1 1/2 years?!?!?! Most women haven't even given their employers a date to GO ON maternity leave yet!

GlaikitFizzog · 30/04/2012 12:13

I understand you feeling that way but you are under no obligation to confirm anything at all just now. you need to inform them of the date you willstart ml sometime around 22 weeks. I forget the exact time, baby brain. and they should be prepared for you to take the full year off. trust me your best made plans may all change one you've had the baby.

Try not to stress yourself. have a and a .

Birdies · 30/04/2012 12:22

I agree you don't need to talk about your return to work, but I'm surprised he doesn't want to spend longer talking about who will cover for you etc. It's his loss though, sounds like you're being really helpful and diligent - they are lucky to have you so stuff 'em!

mrswee · 30/04/2012 12:36

I would say that you really shouldn't discuss what you plan to do and when you plan to come back. Once you have discussed it then you've put the idea in their heads and if anything changes and you change your mind, which you are entitled to do of course, then they could be banking on one thing when you decide you want another. You dont have to tell them anything about your return until nearer the time you are actually returning. I'd leave your options open if I was you.

Original poster

Aworryingtrend · 30/04/2012 12:39

I really didn't know that, I assumed if i wanted to request flexible working I had to tell them before I went on maternity leave, is that not right? First baby as you can tell I am obviously clueless.

I suppose I feel though like i want to know in my own mind what is happening? As if they refuse my request to work part-time I would need time to weight up childcare costs etc.

OP posts:

lalabaloo · 30/04/2012 12:43

It is frustrating but don't worry about your return to work yet, you might make arrangements and then change your mind later and still need to request a change. Have you had a risk assessment and thought about when you would like to go on mat leave, although you don't need to tell your employer for a while yet. It's hard when you are trying your best to minimise the impact on your employer but at the end of the day your rights are the same whether your employer prepares properly or not

thunksheadontable · 30/04/2012 12:49

I am ON maternity and haven't had a 15 minute chat with my boss about who will cover for me, and all attempts to do so have been brushed off

Panzee · 30/04/2012 12:51

Noooo, don't tell them yet. Just let them get on with it. Once you get closer to birth/being a mum you won't care, believe me!

MrsHoarder · 30/04/2012 14:30

Who will cover for you is his problem not yours. What you think should be covered and when you intend to come back are possibly things you might want to discuss, but you run the risk of promising something that you want to change at a later date.

Presumably you aren't going on maternity leave until mid-September? As maternity cover is temporary work, unless you work in an area which has staff problems at the moment they probably don't need to think about arranging cover until August.

FluffyJawsOfDoom · 30/04/2012 15:11

Pretty sure you don't need to put in a flexible working request until you're discussing your return, i.e. you're at the end of your maternity leave :)

comixminx · 30/04/2012 15:33

I second fluffy and others: no need to discuss flexible working arrangements yet, not until much nearer the time you are getting ready to come back. I always knew I wanted to do a four day week on return, but certainly didn't know which day I'd be at home, or what childcare arrangements were likely to work best for us, until quite soon before coming back. (I also took advantage of some holiday time to ease myself back into work 2.5 days a week for the first month, but again that was negotiated just before I came back to work.) During your mat leave you can have up to ten Keeping In Touch days, paid at your normal rate (worth checking this applies at your place but I think it's a general thing) where you come in to work, discuss your return, do some work, keep in touch with your colleagues and so forth. Again no need to plan these much in advance but it's worth bearing them in mind as times during your leave when you can come into the office to sort some of this out.

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