Can work reject my request to go part time after mat leave?

[MRSDoos]

Need to start thinking of filling in my maternity leave form, should I tell work I want to go back part time? Can they reject my request?

[notdaddycool]

They absolutely can reject it, their only duty is to consider it.

[EcoLife]

You don’t have to tell them your plans for after maternity leave yet. They don’t have to approve the request but a lot can change during mat leave so better to request closer to your return date to give you and your partner more time to work out your proposal.

[mumto2teenagers]

They can reject it, however I would wait and put in a flexible working request nearer the time you are due to go back. You don't need to confirm your plans to them yet.

[IceCreamWoes]

They can, but they should tell you the reason they've had to decline it and it should be transparent and reasonable. What is it your requesting and what job do you do. I've got lots of experience of this as a TU rep so can give your my opinion on whether it sounds reasonable or not?

[Lcb123]

I would wait until closer to the date you are due to return to work, rather than asking now. They have to consider the request, but they don't have to approve it - they would have to give you a business reason for rejecting though.

[helloimnew123]

Against the advice above, I would start discussing it before so you know where you stand. Then you can plan how long you want off or if you'l look for a different job etc.

Good companies will support flexibility if they can make it work.

I got my boss to formally agree compressed hours before I went on Mat leave. So I knew my options on return.

[Newwardrobe]

Is it possible to do your job in part time hours or would they have to get someone else in to cover?

[sleighbellsjiggling]

They can reject if it won't work for the business. I had to return in a different role as my previous one wouldn't have worked p/t annoyingly. I could have gone back to my old role under my old hours if I wanted. I only let them know about a month before my mat leave was due to end.