Boss has advertised the cover for my mat leave - but what does this mean?

[wideawakenurse]

I am part time, which I had been since returning to work since having DC1. My Boss agreed to this, with a review date of 3 months. That has been and gone, which is no surprise as that's what she is like, never had an appraisal etc.

Anyhow I am due to go on mat leave again in March. The post has been advertised as a secondment, but as full time. My Boss has never put anything in place to cover the 2 days I am not at work each week. I manage the same amount of areas and people and therefore this yields the same about of work as when I was full time. I told her many times that I am struggling and the only way I get my job done is to work late most nights. (unpaid)

When I return, what would this mean for me if she has had someone full time for a year? What if she wants to keep the person full time, or insists I go back full time?

Whilst that would mean I get paid for the hours I do, I cannot afford full time childcare for 2 and also 5 days a week commuting costs.

How long have you been working part time Wideawake?

It means they're after a full time maternity cover. Nothing more nothing less. Maternity cover is often not replaced on a 1 for 1 basis. Doesn't mean any decisions have been made around your return - try not to over thing it while you're off.

I've been part time since January and employed with this organisation for almost 4 years.

I do hope that is the case Grevling. Although part of me feels miffed that why can't it be formally acknowledged now that the role is full time and therefore I need support!

I would try not to worry about it Wideawake - if you've been doing the role part time for 10 months, then they would have a very hard time trying to make you go full time again.
Your other point is valid though - are they getting a full timer from you without actually paying you for it? It does seem so if the job hasn't decreased since you were doing full time, and you're working late all the time :-(

Yes thats about it! Although this climate at the moment is very much one of people fearing that if they don't play ball, then they will be managed out.

I am an employment law consultant so I understand your issues here - it's so easy to advise on the right process for you to go down, but as you say, fear is a big factor these days and sometimes there's no telling how a company will respond to a "grievance" etc. My advice would be go on your mat leave, forget about work, then when you go back, see how the land lies at that point. It may be worth having a word about the workload at that point - if they've had a full timer doing your job, then it would be valid to ask them how they expect you to do it part time, and ask about a job share.

Sounds like you want it both ways - you want your part time job but you also want it "formally acknowledged that the role is full time".

Surely it's in your interests to demonstrate that the role can be done part time?

When you put in your request to go to 3 days a week, how did you propose you'd cover the role in 3 days, and why is that not working do you think? You say your boss "hasn't put anything in place" but what did you suggest was put in place and was that agreed at the time?

In terms of your costs - you say you couldn't afford childcare and commuting for 5 days but can for 3 - presumably that means your cost per day would be higher for the other 2 days - do you have access to free childcare for the first 3 days that you couldn't use for the other 2 or something?

Hello Wideawake,

This sounds like bullshit - I mean, the way they are treating you. The thing is, I would strongly advise anyone not to get into the routine of doing work at home for no extra money... I know that's really hard, but while you're doing it, they'll let you.

I'm in a very similar situation myself, so I feel for you. It very hard not to worry about what will happen when you come back, and in most cases adds to thew anxiety of the whole process if you feel your emplyer won't support you.

I think, while you're off, perhaps look elsewhere. If they're not treating you so well, maybe it's possible to find a company that will, and, you'd be able to start afresh with terms that suited both parties.

Good luck.

xxx

The structure of our team has changed in the months I have returned. When I first came back, I had a number of areas taken from me and covered by another person. However, they have left and so I have been given back my all my original areas/roles.

The thing is flowery is that even my full time colleagues are often staying late, such is the nature of the role. Flexible working patterns are very commonplace where I work, probably due to a high number of females in the workplace. Whilst I can offer solutions in terms of what cover I would need, the decision to implement these lies with my boss.

In terms of my costs, no I do not receive any free childcare. In all honesty, when I say I can't afford, what I really mean is that it's not really worth my while. I work in a role with extremely high levels of pressure and to manage that 5 days a week, working extra hours, a two hour commute and juggle a young DS really would finish me off!

Lady, sorry to hear you are in a similar position. I think I will be looking for something else whilst I am off.

You see, I don't see how it's unreasonable to allow people to work in a flexible way, within reason. I've worked in places where they have allowed this and it created better morale and work ethic all round. An old boss of mine said that he wasn't going to treat people like school kids and that if he didn't trust us, we wouldn't be there. I've been a boss myself twice, and created a loyal, hardwoking team by following his example.

The sad thing is, is that mummy or not, the workplace is getting this way, and expecting extra with nothing in return. In this current climate, I think it boils down to, we need them more than they need us. But that still doesn't make it right. It's something I discuss with my friends often. I just point blank refuse to do it - and, I haven't come accross one boss yet who's had the guts to bluntly say anything about it. I know I work hard and will help out extra when needed, but for it to be the norm to stay late every day - forget it.

And, I'm in the same situation. When I go back to work, if it's at the same place, it won't be woth my while to do it full time. I understand your situation. I'm confident I could do my current job in part time hours by covering tasks at home, in the evening or when my husband has the baby. If my company won't allow this, I'll look for somewhere that will suit my changed circumstances, and am happy to do this. If you know you're a good worker, then why settle for some bullshit company who treats mummys badly?

Anyway, I'll get off my box now!

xxx