Now in a mess and can't decide what to do

[monkeytree]

I'm currently on maternity leave. Restructuring has taken place over past few months that greatly affects my working pattern.

Previously with one dc I was working 3 days a week 10-2.30 pm, term time only. Now new manager demands longer working days - 2.5 days with no term time working. I have little in the way of childcare - mum who could probably cover 1 day a week in the hols.

If it was just older dc who loves after school club etc. the decision would be easier but I feel unable to hand baby over for full working day. Got round this with dc1 with a career break (no longer available) then offered wonderful working hours. It seems manager can implement changes due to business need despite family friendly policy.

I do enjoy my job though that too may change. The manager does not seem to care about experience etc. Redundancy is not an option, redeployment is but there again its a nightmare trying to get the right hours. Fortunate that DH earns enough for me not to have to work, it is more about my bit of independence, routine, adult company etc. DC wont be a baby for long and I can see its going to be hard getting back into the workplace. I also have long continuous service perks - additional annual leave etc. Its not easy trying to balance motherhood with work life. Any comments/experiences very appreciated.

Hi,

Working 2.5 days isn't so bad but I can imagine it isn't as good as the hours you have been doing. Would you have the flexibility of using your annual leave in the school holidays as that would help?
I worked 2.5 days since my son arrived 10 years ago. In my old job I used to use all of my annual leave (I got extra tooas I had over ten years service) in the school hols once he was at school. I had a 2nd child and moved jobs (and upped hours)...big mistake as I am now restricted with school hols and so is my husband so we are not getting any time off s a whole family at the moment. I am looking Into retraining.
If you cannot do above I would look for something else but 2.5 days is better than working 5 whole days. Think of it that way.

If you want to have a job then I think it would be very difficult to find one with your old hours - sounds like you were v lucky! Is there any room at all for flexibility, eg 2 long days rather than 2.5 during the holidays? Then maybe your mum could cover one and you and DH could use annual leave to cover it between you? I am a SAHM and love it, but youngest DC starts school this Sept and I am v worried about getting back to work!

You have a job you enjoy which you can do for 2.5 days a week - don't undervalue that. And it's very common when you're on maternity leave to have a wobble about how you'll cope etc but the reality is that once you get into a routine and settle down, it just becomes the new normal. If you can find good quality childcare for the baby you'll probably feel more comfortable.

I think you should try it - give it a few months and if you're really struggling with it, start looking elsewhere.

Doing 2 long days in the holidays is a really good idea.

I did work 2 long days when my DCs were babies and it was actually OK. Hard to leave them initially but they were fine and it was actually much easier on me from a practical POV than shorter days. All I did on my working days was get them up and dressed and bath them and put them to bed, everything else was someone else's problem!

However, when my boss tried to impose extra days on me because of "business need" I got some great advice from Working Families and the company had to back right down. I was a long time ago but IIRC it was along the lines of yes, they can impose a change for business reasons but if you can't do it because you have caring responsibilities, then no they can't. However, I was told that if the business reasons meant my original hours were no longer suitable then they would be within their right to make me redundant. In my case it would have been expensive to pay me off as I had long service so they decided they didn't need the change after all

Thanks ladies for sharing your experiences. I think I now have a plan of action. I'm considering taking the option of working mornings only although this would mean working every morning with a finish time of 1 pm ish. Shorter working day in terms of caring for the baby and not have to worry about after school care. I might start another thread to see what peoples experiences are of working this pattern. Also ask if I can be considered first (as one of the only employees with a very young child) for annual leave in the hols and perhaps see if any of my colleagues working part-time want to pick up any extra work in the hols (there are several of us working the same job) and run this pass the management. Thank you once again.