Help--- return from maternity leave date disaster

[frijoles]

Hi

I'm really so upset about this. I have told my employer for ages now that I will return on Monday (start Nov) full time (taking a few days annual leave)

I was counting on childcare which was promised for many months and suddenly has pulled out and refuses to care for the baby (P, as it happens..)

I obviously cannot give my employer 8 weeks notice of a change in my return date as it is less than a week away. I want to cry I feel like I've ruined my career, and also I really need the income anyway.

P won't budge I can't find childcare, what can I say to my employer? The 52 weeks isn't up until January, but I feel terrible about this. Where do I stand? Do I have any rights now at all?

They did offer me part time return but I wanted my full time job and salary- if I switch to part time could I do that and just take annual leave from Monday? I have enough days.. otherwise would that wreck my continuity of employment etc?

Thank you

Have you tried all the local nurseries and childminders - list from Social Services?

Can you take a few days Annual Leave to give yourself some more time to get this sorted out?

Hi BlackandGold thanks for your reply. I have booked annual leave for the rest of the year so I work 3 days a week instead of 5, I have a couple days left over though so I could try and take off next week, but I don't think it will achieve all that much!

I have phoned literally everywhere and everyone and harrassed childminders and nannies' contacts and no luck at all, I anticipate I could get a place for January in a nursery nearby however but that's not til January.

Have you tried nanny agencies at all? I would imagine in the present climate there are good nannies available at short notice - many agencies do emergency nannies anyway which would give you some time.

When you ask 'do I have any rights?', I'm not sure what you mean? What do you actually want to do? Do you want to return on the same basis but in January instead of now? Do you want to now take them up on their offer of part time?

You need to decide what you want to do, then ring your manager asap, explain the situation, explain what you propose to do about it and see what he/she says. They may be absolutely fine about you delaying your return until later/until the end of your maternity leave; you won't know unless you ask.

If they are not fine with that, see what they would be fine with and work on getting suitable childcare in place to enable you to do it.

I don't think this is really about 'rights', it's about having to deal with an unexpected change of circumstances and you and your employer working out between you what the best option is.

Hi flowerybeanbag, thanks for your reply.

I have calmed down a bit today! I was so upset yesterday.

I think I meant have I destroyed my legal right to 52 weeks leave by bringing the date forward and committing to it..

I have had a long argument chat with P and he has agreed to look after DS for fear of --death

I have also contacted as many childminders as possible and one has replied saying she might be able to help for a couple of weeks, I am meant to call her. There is a surplus of nannies in this area but I thought they'd be out of my price range so I haven't contacted any

I haven't contacted my employer yet because I hope things will now run smoothly.. also I messed up my first return to work from maternity leave with DC1 because she was very ill in hospital on my return date so it was extended by a few months- I think they have little faith in me as it is!

Right you need to ring your local Families Information Services Hub (FISH). Have a google for them. They can find you last minute childcare, the woman i spoke to from there said they can normally find one for you for the next day as they have excellent contacts.

Hi Pootles that's amazing I didn't know that existed. I definitely need a back up plan for childcare as P is so terminally unreliable

They really need to publicise it more. I only found out from postnatal group!

Thank you Pootles

Also while I'm here I don't know if anyone knows but could I do the following, if P fails and other plans fail?

Accept the part-time offer now, and take annual leave for the rest of the year? (as I have accrued enough to do that) ie I change my contract to part-time and I am on annual leave and start work properly in January?

I'm a bit scared they will think 'my god she's useless' if I do that mrspickles. You make a good point though!

I do want to go back now, if I can. Also due to previous return to work extensions I feel like they'd think I was taking the mickey a bit and I'd lose any hope of being regarded as professional. I'm already in their bad books for daring to have children !

It is possible that you could accept the part-time contract and go on annual leave but that really depends on whether your employer is willing to accept it.
I thought you wanted to return full-time though? I though P had agreed to do the childcare or has he changed his mind again?