Flexible working DENIED!!

[MamaBearCharlie]

Eeek, throughout pregnancy and mat leave my line manager has suggested that someone was brought on before I left to take away some aspects of my role to make it less "operational critical" do that on my return I could concentrate on project work part time. Now my boss has come back to me 2weeks before I'm due to go back and said sorry, full time or nothing.
My question is this: in the official guidelines about the process of applying for flexible working it says that once you've made the application, work have to meet with you within 28 days to discuss the application and different options then within 14 days a decision must be made. Where do I stand if he met with me to give me a letter dated two days previously to deny my request??? Has he missed a step? Please help!!

When did you make your official flexible working request? What was the reason for the request being declined?

If, to accommodate your request, they would have to employ an additional person (with all the overheads that entails) then they are probably on strong ground to refuse the request (sorry, and even though you may have been led to believe by one manager it could be possible, it is only the situation at time of request that counts).

What have you asked for and what were their reasons for declining? If the reasons are stated in broadbrush terms (as they may be, to match official verbiage) you need to find out ASAP what lies behind them. Then you willbe able to work on making a case to show either that they are wrong, or (and usually more likely) that there are ways in which the work can be managed which does not bring the problems/costs which led to original rejection.

You must have had a consultation when you can discuss the options and you can say how you can make the flexible working arrangement work. They should know that full well. My flexible working request was turned down too, my temporary replacement was cheaper than I was . Bastards. It happens a lot- I don't think there are enough incentives for employers to accept flexible working when there is a workforce ready and waiting to do the full time hours :(

Stupidly, throughout my mat leave my manager kept saying its fine, nothing to worry about, we'll get it sorted... So I they gave the impression it was just a formality that I had to fill the actual form in. The reasons they've given appear valid and like they've been checked over by the company lawyers but I'm the first EVER person in the company (running 11 years and 40 staff...!) to go on mat leave so they are new to all this.
The only meeting we had was for them to tell me it was declined...
I'm feeling very hard gone by!

You have got to point out to HR that there's a proper procedure for this, find the info online and send it to your manager and HR. to be honest it probably won't change the outcome but they need to follow the correct procedure.

Yes they do have to follow procedure, for you to discuss options etc.