So...it looks like I am jacking my job in.

[podkin]

After 18 months of maternity (2 babies on the trot) I have written to work asking if they will consider me going back part time, one day a week in the office and one at home. Main reasons, finance (obviously), and keeping myself in the employment market. They have just written back saying thanks but no thanks, we can't accommodate your specific requests, but you can job share if we get someone else blah di blah and other crapola comments like 'we have to consider the workload on the rest of the department' - what ? The rest of the department are a bunch of work shy no hopers (bar one) anyway, a bit of extra would do 'em no harm...
Flippancy aside, I get the feeling I might be being fobbed off a bit, but I feel a bit weary about pursuing it...I have 2 small children and to be honest would prefer to stay at home. We will have to manage financially. Can someone reassure me that I am doing the right thing, and that I will be able to get another job in a few years time...at the same wonderful salary I am on now ? Tall order I know, but thanks for listening anyway and any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

They do have to have a decent business reason for refusing your request.

Is there any precedent in the company? Are there other people working part time? Hard, isn't it?

am similarly conflicted... see thread i started in chat re "thinking of taking year off from job...". can be no guarantees for future unfortunately. only you bknow whether you could / should be making bigger fuss re their rejection of you request for part time.. good luck whatever you decide.

what sort of thing are you doing atm podkin?

I'm a great believer in fate Podkin. Looks like you were meant to be off for a bit, so turn everything round to a positive and - enjoy!!

Make the most of your time with your little babies. Enjoy not having to juggle childcare and being torn left, right and centre and just live for the moment.

Before you turn around they will be at school or whatever and you won't get this time back again.

You'll have no childcare or petrol costs and a whole new world will open up to you and the future - well, that'll take care of itself for the moment!!

I have just finished work today, I'm going to be a SAHM for ooooh as long as I want yippee, of course you will be able to get another job in a few years (can't say about the salary tho) ps don't get me wrong not that well off myself and it may be hard but I definitely think I've done the right thing, no more rushing to get to nursery or to get to work can just relax and enjoy time with dd and I think dh and I will be happier as well, good luck with your decision

Hey, thanks guys, made me feel better already. Carolina, I am a committee administrator. tbh, the way that my job is structured does not lend itself to part time work. The meetings run on a 6 month cycle and there are busy/quiet times during that period. And obviously I would have to be there for the meetings.

Although they are not obliged to give me my old job back anyway. I thought maybe my work could be one of those forward thinking/progressive places who were sympathetic to the needs of working mothers, placed great faith in their employees, and were leaders in helping with a work/life balance...hmmmph, sadly not...
The thing is, the Chief Exec, Head of Personnel and my dept boss are all childless women and I don't think they are particularly sympathetic to working mums. Yes, there are others working part time with children (there has been a rash of them recently) but I don't know what the individual circumstances are. I could start getting on my high horse about it, but the more i think about it, the more my heart is saying 'jack it in' ! Need to discuss with DP tonight for his opinions...
Thanks you all your comments.

'Thanks you all your comments'
...can be translated as 'Thank you for all your comments'

Could you compromise? E.g. work one week out of every month around the comittee dates?

podkin, you must have loads of transferable skills. If you do want to work outside the home now, I bet you could find better hours with another organisation.

Equally, I doubt a couple of years out of the work environment would affect your prospects if you've got a decent amount of experience already.

Good luck

Podkin, could you take them up on the job share idea? It could be good couldn't it?

WWW - job share good in theory but my personal circumstances would make it v difficult. I work in London and live in Mid Sussex. To work either 2.5 or 3 days would necessitate getting a full monthly season ticket - extortionate. Working at home one day and going in one day would reduce travel costs hugely. The travel time is also around 1 hr 15 in each direction so adds to the cost of childcare. My p/t salary would not cover both childcare and a monthly season ticket. I am well paid, but it is still not enough !