Is it possible to go part time for a fixed period then return to full time?

[Tally1]

Thinking for my husband (public sector worker). Is it likely that it would be possible for him to reduce to 4 days a week (to help with childcare) and then return to 5 days say after a year? Has anyone managed to do this? and can it be built into a contract, or do you just have to hope at the end of the year they would be willing to up his hours back to full time??

I've do e this. It totally depends on the employer- you need to check with their hr department.

Rather than flexible working, could he use his annual leave to do this for a bit?

Sorry / just read OP again and saw it was for a year!

Yes, it is possible and he can ask. However, when i worked in the nhs (hr, not front line) the hours went back into the 'communal pot') and there was no guarantee of getting the hours back in the future.

Could he not work a compressed week (5 days in 4)?