Mat Leave

[123FirstTimeMummy]

Hi,

Do i request to my employer i want to change for being full time to part time before i start my Mat leave to get the ball rolling?

Or do I wait until I'm due to come back - I'm worried in case is doesn't get approved or accepted in time im due to come back and i have to return full time

Definitely when you go back! Mat leave pay will be based on the hours you work/ current pay so if you change to part time now, you'll get less maternity pay.

Though my last mat leave was many years ago so I can't remember how I did this 😅 but pretty sure you can change your hours when you're on leave, before you go back? It may be worth speaking to your HR team/ checking your contract, but most companies have to be flexible for childcare reasons.

Don't do it before leave, this is done when you are speaking to your employer on expected return to work details. You can request it (they don't have to accept) but have to give a decent business reason why not). Check your handbook/contract/HR and don't forget situations can change a lot for you so you may not want to be part time when you return.

You also have to think about holiday, you'll accrue it while on mat leave and you won't get as much accrued holiday if part time.

You can also return to work full time, while using accrued holiday on set days when you go back (for example only working three days a week, using your holiday to effectively work part time). You'll get much more pay this way for a little while - but your employer would have to be very flexible to agree to this. If you do this though, you're proving that the job can be done part time so no reason for them to refuse. You can request part-time hours at any point during employment, not just on return to work.

Enjoy your mat leave and think about it when the time comes, see what situation you're in/how you're feeling. Your employer should contact you nearer the time of it ending to discuss KIT days and/or returning to work.