When did you get in touch with work during mat leave?

[PenelopeChipShop]

Just wondering how others have handled the process of getting back in touch with their bosses and when they did it. Or did work contact you first? I'm allowed a year off and am seven months in, due back in Mid-June. Haven't heard from work yet but I'd like to negotiate part time hours if possible and am not sure how much notice they would need.

I'm also in a bit of an odd situation in that I'm a permanent employee but the job I was doing before having my ds no longer exists (it was attached to a contract that is now over). So if I do go back to work they will technically have to 'find' me a new role. Should I wait to hear from them do you think or tackle this sooner rather than later, especially since I'll need to confirm days of childcare etc. would be good to hear what others did about that initial contact. Thanks :-)

No idea what you're "supposed" to do, but am trying to sort childcare/agree PT hours at roughly same amount of time before I go back. If nothing else, it will let me relax & enjoy rest of mat leave.

Why not drop them an email and ask for a chat to discuss?

I don't think they have to make contact.

I am on maternity at the moment and I have to give them 8 weeks notice of whether I'm coming back or not basically. Do you have an hr department you could ask?

Since you're looking to change your hours I would email and ask for a meeting to try and negotiate.

I kept in touch every few weeks since going off. We are undergoing a restructure and whilst I'm not affected, wanted to know what was going on.

If I were you, I would get in touch sooner, rather than later, especially if you want to negotiate part time hours.

You do have enchanced protection with regards to redeployment whilst on maternity leave, but this ends when you return to work, so it is worth taking advantage of this whilst you can.