Can I be downgraded if I work from home

[FutureMrsButler]

Hi there,

Am currently 10 weeks into 26 week maternity leave. Have asked my employer for her view on whether part of my administrator role can be worked from home, specifically the data entry part of my role as it is entered into an online system and will not matter where on the planet I am sat to complete! She has told me I can do this, however she has proposed that it is completed an entire grade below what I am currently employed at (I am a grade 6 and she has said it would be a grade 5) I know data entry isn't rocket science, however my job description as a grade 6 does include data entry as a proportion of the role.

She has also proposed that when I return the hours I am physically at work contribute to a job share with the lady who is covering my leave, but it seems she is favouring my cover - offering her 3/5 of the role and me 2/5 which over all would require me to take a cut of 10 hours per week!

I don't know whether to just refuse all her proposals and return under my existing t & c's and then quit asap (I would have to complete 13 weeks) or try and fight for what I want? I don't want to end up hated by my employer, but I cannot afford to be out of pocket from reduced hours or downgrading!

Any help appreciated - this is stopping me relaxing or sleeping! (and with a 10 week old is resulting in a stressful household!)

Many thanks

If you are only doing what you would be doing at work anyway - then the fact that you are doing it at home instead of in the office should not affect your grading.

There are laws around your rights to request flexible working which I am sure someone else will be much more familiar with. While you wait for them to come along, have a look at directgov here.

There is also some useful stuff here about how to apply properly, what company can do and what if your application is refused www.netlawman.co.uk/info/flexible-working-parents.php.

I would take up with your HR department as sounds like your manager is making up the rules as she goes along and could get themselves into trouble!

Sorry - not sure what went wrong with the link here - operator error!

Hi,

Thank you, I have read through the links you sent through and am now drafting an email to my HR dept.
I have read through my employers policy on requesting flexible working and it does not mention pay as a factor anywhere so hopefully HR can shed some light!

You have the right to return to the same role.

I think she can say 'no you can't work at home' - but she certainly doesn't have the right to downgrade you, or enforce fewer hours.

Have you actually put in any kind of flexible working request formally?

sorry, should have put 'the same role, on the same terms and conditions' -ie: same hours, same pay, same workplace as when you finished.

The location of your job shouldn't affect the grading at all, no. But if the content of your job is changing in anyway, that could affect it. It sounded from your OP as though data entry is part of your current role but that going forward your role would consist of a much higher proportion of data entry, is that the case?

Hi, no there wouldnt be any extra data entry, it makes up around 1/3 of my existing role, and my request was to work 1/3 of my role from home.
I also havent made any formal application for flexible working, latest email from manager I think is scaremongering me, she has told me next financial years budget is uncertain and that she anticipates cuts, cant see why she would feel the need to tell me if she wasnt trying to make me feel like it would be my job that gets cut?

Really hate this situation, Im good at my job its not like Im lazy or make mistakes, since this manager took over shes made me feel unwanted and unimportant. Have decided just to go back for statutory 13 weeks and find a job which wont make me feel like this, its a shame I used to love my job x

That is a shame, you don't think it would be worth putting in a proper request? She may have been trying it on a bit and might change her mind if faced with a proper request, and therefore having to discuss it with HR and do it properly.