Help please with making a flexible working request

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I currently work FT shiftwork and have a 2.5yo. In October, baby number two will arrive. I would like, at the end of my Mat Leave, to request a change down to four days per week, so 32hrs rather than 40.

As it stands, the SMP paid period will take me up to the 24th July next year. If allowed, I want to add on my accrued Annual Leave and Bank Holidays which would take me up to a return date of 24th august. (I get five weeks AL a year)

As my AL entitlement will change when I move down to four days¡ I only want to use up what I have earned so far.

So....sorry! Ok. Can I make the request to move down to four days start on the return date of 24th August or does it have to start right at the end of ML?

Hopeful bump

I'm no expert but based on what I did (returning pt after mat leave).

I put in the request while still on leave. I was entitled to my holidays at full time because they aren't allowed to treat you any differently while on mat leave.

I had my holidays stuck on the end of my leave and put the start date of my new flexible plan as the first day back after holidays.

Your maternity leave ends in October or on whatever date you choose earlier than that.

What you are asking to do is to end your maternity leave early and return to work on 25 July on your full time hours but take all your accrued holiday, then to reduce your hours and physically return to the office once your holiday is used up.

And the simple answer is yes you can ask for a flexible working request to start on whatever date you like, but make sure it's absolutely clear you only want it to start on 24 August if you are allowed to take your holiday in a block as you would like.

Mind you, bear in mind that the annual leave you will have accrued will go a lot further on reduced hours- you'll have accrued it all while full time so will have, say, 28 days available, but on 4 days a week that will give you 7 weeks off. Just worth bearing in mind!