Return to work - help!

[user1484688103]

Hi! New to mumsnet and hoping for some opinions and advice on my current situation.

I left work almost a year ago on mat leave to have my LG born March 2016, my return to work date is 13th Feb 2017.

I sent an email to my line manager 3rd November stating my preference would be to return on a PT basis but I would be happy to return FT if PT wasn't the company's preference.

I did not get a reply to this email until 23rd December where my line manager stated he was no longer my LM and gave me details of the person who is.

I emailed that person 28th December to ask whether or not my PT request had been agreed (and additionally where I will be based as my company have 6 offices locally) I am yet to have a response.

So I got in touch with HR last week to ask if they could give me any info, they haven't come back to me.

I go back to work in just under 4 weeks and I don't particularly want to cause an issue BUT, I feel like by their non responses I may legitimately have a claim for maternity discrimination (due to lack of response to my PT request). I am thinking of penning and email to head of HR to state I feel I may be pushed into resigning because I don't know the details of my return and therefore cannot organise childcare (I do have a nursery organised but feel that's not the point, if they do allow me to return PT I am already committed to paying FT care for my LG)

Just looking for opinions I guess- WWYD!? Thanks in advance!

Well, I'd pick up the phone and speak to them. Explain you've been trying to get an answer since November, and obviously need to get childcare sorted, etc.

Thanks! Yea I have been procrastinating about calling them to try and keep everything in writing but you're right, a call is warranted!

I thought you would need to submit a proper flexible working request rather than just a 'can I return part time' email?

Absolutely, but according to the company's flexible working request procedure you are unable to submit a formal PT request form without including agreement in writing from your line manager, which is what I don't have.

I think you need to pick up the phone to chase. I understand wanting things in writing but don't understand why you didn't chase after the first email to at least get a timescale of response.

You don't have a claim for maternity discrimination just because 3 people haven't promptly responded to your 3 emails, all to different people. Neither would you be justified in saying you are 'pushed into resigning'. it has been your choice to procrastinate rather than ringing and/or putting in a formal request.

Put a formal flexible working request in anyway, and ring your line manager as well, asking when you can expect to hear from him/her and notifying him/her that you've put in a formal request .

If they refuse your formal request because you haven't got pre-agreement you can easily demonstrate that you attempted to get that agreement but in the absence of a response and given the timescales involved, had to continue with a formal request.