Asking to work set hours

[MrsWhirling]

Hi All,
My department within a large organisation underwent dramatic restructuring whilst I have been on maternity leave. This includes me moving to a new section and gaining a new line manager.

My maternity leave has now ended although due to leave I am not back until mid Nov. Neither my previous or new manager have been in touch with me regarding my return.

Anyway, I am keen to work set hours and have this agreed. The reason being that it is not unheard of to be sent to a meeting or similar at another branch an hour before you're due home.

My son who will be 1 years old when I return is allergic to milk and eggs and as a result I am having to continue breatfeeding him for longer than I planned so I had planned to give him a big feed in the morning and another when I got in from work - hence why I don't want to end up in a situation where I am not getting home in to feed him.

Do you think it is reasonable for me to contact my new manager to ask this?

Well, the law isn't about how good your reasons for needing set hours are, it's about whether the business can accomodate them.

How realistic is set hours within your role and business? What do other people do (it's unlikely to be agreed if everyone routinely works more than their contracted hours)? What impact would you doing set hours have on other colleagues and the business?