Want to cut down to four days after Mat Leave

[TakingTheStairs]

I want to cut down to four days after maternity leave from my current five days a week. I haven't taken my maternity leave yet so I'm wondering should I let my employers know now that this is what I would like to come back to afterwards or should I say nothing and just discuss it when I'm coming back after maternity leave?
On one hand I'd like to give them time to plan and think about it, but on the other hand if they say no immediately it will be difficult to re approach it next year.
I'd really appreciate opinions and advice.

I think concentrate on having the baby then try to re-negotiate later but bear n mind that they don't have to say yes so you should give yourself plenty of time to sort out alternative childcare if they do say no.

That's a very good point about childcare thank you. I don't want to leave myself stranded!

Absolutely no point asking this early.

Firstly it's entirely likely you'll change your mind anyway, as a large percentage of women do once they've had their baby and are on maternity leave, and you don't want to waste your one request a year on something you then realise you don't actually want.

And secondly, to decide whether to agree your flexible working request your employer has to assess the impact on the business to see whether it can be accommodated. I don't know how long maternity leave you are planning to take, but asking them to assess that months in advance is not realistic and is more likely to see them either refusing the request, or at best, asking you to delay for a while in order that it can be properly considered.

Thanks Flowery You're right and I appreciate the perspective.

You also need to take into consideration the amount of maternity leave you are taking. If you are taking more than 6 months - you may not necessarily return to the exact same position. They don't legally have to give you the exact same position if you take more than 6 months.

Quite a number of people actually decide to extend their mat leave. So asking the company to make a decision now might not be a good idea.

In addition - you will be in a better position to understand your childcare arrangements/financial situation etc when you are back in work.

I went down to 4 days several months after returning to work after my first pregnancy. As i had been back several months i was able to succesfully negotiate and assure my employer that i would be able to do the job and reduce my hours.

Marie

Thanks Marie, that really helps