Have name changed as don't want to be recognisable should anyone from work see this.
Am on mat leave with DC2, due to go back in a couple of months. Been in same post five years (second period of mat leave). It's a govt role in techie stuff/comms.
Since coming back after DC1, I have worked from home three days a week and in the office two days a week (with childcare locally). It has worked out very well - I have taken on extra responsibilities, have had glowing appraisals and so on. No one has ever raised any problems.
However, I have a new ultimate boss who doesn't like flexible working and has already made disparaging comments about me not being 'visible' enough.
And I got an email from my immediate boss this morning saying we would need to talk about the arrangements under which I 'hope' to return to work and they weren't sure they 'could allow' me to continue my current arrangements.
Realistically, I can see that it is easier for my team if I'm in more, just to discuss things. And no doubt top brass prefer to see bums on seats. But there is no technical reason whatsoever that I need to be in more - my entire job, apart from meetings, can be done from home, and I can discuss things via email and phone very efficiently.
Added to this, DC2 was prem (v nearly didn't survive) and although is OK now, I was already suffering massive anxiety at the thought of leaving him two days a week and now I'm frantic.
What realistically can they make me do? I am unionised, BTW.