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Original poster

Return to work situation - would really appreciate advice

17 replies

dollysocks · 17/02/2011 07:07

Hi Mumsnetters

I am in a stick with work.

I have a full time desk job and my maternity leave is due to end in just under a month.

I made a flexible work application about four weeks ago and met with my work yesterday to discuss it.

I have read the DirectGov information about my rights, so I am entitled to make a request. And I feel that my application was workable and reasonable.

I suggested working compressed hours for four days a week and 1 work from home day. (Other parents in my team have work from home day/s).

My work were unsupportive about my compressed hours and have said they think it would be fairer to others to change my contractual hours and pay me less.

I think this is fair enough - not ideal on my part but acceptable.

However they suggested that because I will have to work a slightly shorter day, half an hour each end that I should forfeit my right to a work from home day.

I don't feel that this is fair as this priviledge/ right has already been given to other team members.
Can anyone advise me whether I'm right?

OP posts:
hairylights · 17/02/2011 08:36

I posted on your other thread

can you be a bit clearer? You wanted shorter hours but no reduction in pay? If so I'd say that would be totally unfair on others. And put the company at a business disadvantage (ie paying you for time you aren't working).

What others have been granted in the past has no bearing on your current request as fwr are considered on a case by case basis.

hairylights · 17/02/2011 08:38

Pa you have no "right" to a working from home day.

Ciske · 17/02/2011 08:45

I think you need to go back and ask for clarification why the working from home day would be an issue. Do phones need to be manned in the office? Are they expecting reduced productivity from you on that day? Then try to address the concerns they raise and seek solutions for those.

flowery · 17/02/2011 08:50

As hairy says you have no 'right' to work from home day.

You are fine about the rest of it, so it's just working from home one day that is the sticking point. Sounds as though you are pretty close to an agreement.

Why is a working from home day so important for you? I would suggest doing as Ciske says and asking exactly what their concerns are with you working from home so that you can address those concerns. You could also consider proposing a trial period and/or a compromise of working from home once a fortnight.

Original poster
dollysocks · 17/02/2011 12:30

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I'm not suggesting that I work less hours and am paid the same.

I will take a pay cut along with a reduction in hours.

And no mention of my work load reducing was made yesterday, so I will be taking on more in less paid time.

But I do feel as though no business reason for turning down a work from home day was given.

And in an application for the work from home day, sent last December I put together a business case for the request. This was linked to the different areas of my work that are independent and require no team interaction.

Some of them are more efficiently completed in an environment without interruptions.

Work said that presentationally the day I have asked for - a Friday looks bad, because there is a perception that people don't work on a work from home day at the end of the week.

And, I said that my preference related to child care in that when family instead of nursery are caring for my daughter weekends are likely to be the time that this support is available to me.

I don't know whether this is reasonable or not - it's simply the truth.

I've worked really hard for this company for six years prior to having a baby, so they know I am trustworthy and hardworking.

I wish I had made an application that was more beneficial to me so that I could back down on something and feel as though what I was being offered is fair.

OP posts:
flowery · 17/02/2011 12:32

"I said that my preference related to child care in that when family instead of nursery are caring for my daughter weekends are likely to be the time that this support is available to me."

I'm sorry but I don't understand this sentence. If one of the problems is that you've asked for Fridays at home, why can't you offer to change that to another day?

Bearcat · 17/02/2011 19:30

Will your child be in childcare on your day working from home or with you?
Could this be why they are not keen if they think that you may have your child with you?
Only asking as I know a situation where this has happened and HR were not impressed.

flowery · 17/02/2011 19:33

"HR were not impressed"

too right! Grin

Please tell me you have childcare for the day you are proposing to work from home OP.

Original poster
dollysocks · 19/02/2011 18:27

Yep, I would have full time child care for the day I work from home

I did say I would be happy to have any day in the meeting - although it would help to have the same day each week

and what I meant by my sentence about the Friday is that I was asked why in particular I wanted Friday as my work from home day. My answer was that it is a day that I can get child care more easily.

Reading this back, I can see why some of you guys are telling me to get real.

I should probably explain that one of the other people in my team has two work from home days for about 4 years now and a young family and has never had full time child care

Added to this, she has her own freelance business.

So I do feel hard done by that the rules are completely different for different people

OP posts:
flowery · 19/02/2011 18:56

"I should probably explain that one of the other people in my team has two work from home days for about 4 years now and a young family and has never had full time child care

Added to this, she has her own freelance business."

Sounds as though that's at the root of your frustration really and I don't blame you - it isn't fair.

But it's her arrangement that is unreasonable, not the one being proposed for you. I would imagine they are very much regretting her arrangement, are unable to get out of it and are clear that they are not going to allow that to become the precedent.

Employers should consider each flexible working request on its own merits, which they are doing with yours. But I do understand why you are fed up.

Original poster
dollysocks · 20/02/2011 11:58

Thanks flowery.

Thing is I don't think they are considering my case on business merits.

I just feel as though they're trying to intimidate me.

You're right, they do now have a problem with the other person but they have done sweet fa about it - and it's well within their capability to do so.

Its probbaly all for the best that I get it over and done with and find somewhere better to work....

OP posts:
Original poster
dollysocks · 16/03/2011 19:40

Not sure if anyone will pick this up - but it would be great if they do.

About three weeks ago I sent a revised application to my work place.

I revised it to say I didn't mind which day of the week I worked from home. I changed the hours I said I could work each day to the timing my boss said he thought would work better - which was actually a bit later.

I explained that I had arranged a nursery to care for my daughter, but that in order to not be out of pocket, that I would need to start work whilst my daughter was in their care and then swap to an alternative form of childcare.

I said I realised the shortened working day would be a problem and that I would look for alternative childcare as I returned to work so that after the first three months of my return I would be able to complete my usual working hours.

I had my application rejected, but the decision was sent to me last week just, 17 working days before my proposed return to work date, so now I have a nursery place I have to pay for and no job to go back to.

My original application was made in January. The meeting about the application was in Feb, around the time I started this post. I sent my revised application in 5 days after our meeting and the decision to me was sent to me 12 working days after.

I'm pretty fed up. I just feel as though my life is on hold, it's horrible. Sad

At the end of last week, I cancelled the nursery place (from as early as possible) and contacted my work to let them know.

I also told them the amount of money I will be out of pocket.

I have asked my work place whether if I resign they will cover this childcare and waiver the maternity money I got on top of statory.

I'm almost sacred to ask what people think now - but - what do you think?

OP posts:
babbi · 16/03/2011 21:02

One of the HR people will be along to advise you shortly I am sure, however I am surprised that you think your employer should be paying you any money for childcare that you booked.
TBH you should have got your working hours sorted out or not before committing yourself financially. I think that given what your colleague has managed to arrange, you maybe thought they could be similarly flexible with you ?
I am sorry for youir predicament, hope flowery comes along soon.

hairylights · 16/03/2011 21:04

You do have a job to go back to though, surely? On the terms you left?

hairylights · 16/03/2011 21:14

You should have sorted all of this out much sooner. If I was your employer I'd be pretty pissed off. You have no right at all to request they pay or waive anything!!!

What is your contractual notice?

KatieMiddleton · 17/03/2011 18:54

Am I missing something? I don't understand why you can't go back full time to your job or what the problem with childcare is.

What do you want to happen? Bearing in mind there is no way you'll get your childcare costs refunded (which I think might just be taking the piss really but will wait and see what you say before passing judgement).

HappyMummyOfOne · 17/03/2011 21:17

Why should they waiver anything? You decided not to return so why should they not claw back the enhanced maternity pay and cant believe you feel they should pay your childcare costs!!

Given you had childcare in place, you must have planned to go back so if you have changed your mind then thats your decision.

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