Letter for mortgage company regarding return from maternity leave

[Penvelope]

I'm currently in the middle of moving house and I'm going through mortgage application process for our new house.

As I'm on mat leave currently the mortgage company want a letter from my employer stating my return to work date and salary as I'm dropping my hours to 3 days a week (as already agreed in writing from my manager).

My HR department is refusing to write a letter because they say I could change my mind about my return date and they don't have any evidence that my hours are going to change. I've told them I will give them notice in writing of my intention to return to work, which I believe you have to do at least 28 days beforehand anyway. And they can speak to my manager to confirm the change in hours.

But they are insisting they still can't write the letter.

Does anyone who works for HR know if this is the case, or are they just being incredibly unhelpful and lazy?

I'm really stressing because if they won't do the letter we'll lose the new house and our buyer for the old one :(

I think it is pretty out of order. Why not send a letter with some caveats...

Penelope worked full time on a salary of £x, she went on at leave on (date) and has informed (employer) that she intends to return to work on (date). The intention is that she will be returning to work part time (3 days per week) and will therefore be on a salary of £ y.

Well how about they write to confirm your current salary? You didn't need to tell the mortgage company you were going part time - ours disregarded my plans and went by my actual salary.

Well yes exactly! But apparently they can't do this.

The mortgage advisor who was doing the application was incredulous, she said she'd done loads of applications for people on mat leave and employers are usually happy to write a letter with this info on.

Iggly - unfortunately they've tightened up the rules for getting a mortgage just recently, they're a lot stricter.

They know I'm on mat leave because they have my last 3 months wage slips, and they need confirmation of my return date and expected salary. Also childcare costs (this bit isn't a problem!).

Would the mortgage company accept the information from your manager as they've already agreed it in writing? Why don't they have any evidence of your change in hours? And even so, they should provide a letter saying, as far as they are aware, you will be returning on x date (usually 1 year from start of maternity.) on your current hours.

Of course you can change your mind, they won't be liable to the mortgage company if you do.

I hold a senior HR role and think your HR dept are being ridiculous! All they have to do is say what your current contract terms are. They could include a para to explain what your anticipated arrangements are for your return from mat leave and include a caveat that the arrangements have yet to be finalised.

If HR won't help you, can your manager provide a letter for you?

My manager can't write the letter because they want salary details which my manager doesn't have access to. My manager probably should have informed HR about my change of hours through a ESR form (???) but hasn't yet (which doesn't surprise me TBH).

I'm returning to work after 9 months, hence them quibbling that I may change my mind. But according to mat leave policy if returning earlier than 12 months I just to tell them my return date in writing at least 28 days beforehand.

Thanks Gemma, I knew they were being ridiculous! But how can I convince them to write the letter?! I'm thinking I might write the bloody thing myself with the caveats and just ask them to sign it!!!