I have just been offered a full time but would like to work 4 days only...

[Summerfruit]

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I don't think he will think you are taking the mic at all. Do any other people work flexibly or part-time? If so then it would seem that your employers are open to reduced working hours following maternity leave. Why don't you discuss this informally now, just to sound him out? He might be very receptive to the idea.

Good luck! I am in the process of trying to negotiate part-time and its a mess as I left it quite late in my maternity leave to request it. If anything raise it and request it sooner rather than later!

I would mention it before going on maternity leave. That you are thinking it might be too much to do 5 days but would love to do 4! It sounds like they like you and are already going out of their way to keep you so think it might work.

I mentioned it to my boss before I went on leave and luckily there was someone else who was on maternity leave at same time. We got toegther and accosted our boss with our plan for a job share. He agreed.

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They should make you permanent now if they are recruiting you in to the role of the person that isn't coming back. Ask them why they are not making you permanent now?

Is it because you are pregnant? Probably, in which case its sex discrimination!

You need to challenge them on this one as you have a lot to gain now by becoming permanent.

With regards to the 4 days, you have to be employed (on a permanent contract) for 26 weeks before you become eligible to apply for flexible working.

I wouldn't mention it now, if they are not keen, it may affect the offer of a permanent role anyway and you won't have any redress.

Sorry if I sound cynical - not all employers are bad but they do need to make you permanent now.

I have worked 4 days with Friday off since having ds 4 years ago. I used to work incredibly long hours over 5 days and now I leave at 5.15 and wave goodbye for the weekend on Thursday night. It is the best thing that I have ever done. I have found that I am more productive at work through having to be more focused and all my deadlines are completed a day early (Thursday). DS and I spend Fridays doing all the things a non-working Mum would do or having fantastic days out - boating on Windermere etc. It is the best quality time and I am so going to miss it when he starts school in September - but that is a different dilemma.

Surely we all now have rights coming back from maternity leave to work part-time (its the norm in the NHS).

Go for it!

i work 4 days too. the big advantage for employers is that it makes you much cheaper! i do not have an adjustment to my workload and still do what i did in 5 days. i think that is ususally the case for most people who drop to 4 days. however i still manage it. i think it is true that when you have a good work / life balance then you become more efficient - there is some research to back that up too which i found when i was building my case.

chocolatekimmy sounds as though she maes some good points though. they could promise you the world at`the moment but it would be better if you could find some way of ensuringthey follow through on their promises.

My point is that she won't have the right to request until after she returns and has been permanent for at least 26 weeks. She will have no rights in effect.

Not taking her on as permanent now is another ball game

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Its the fact that they have said they will take you back and make you permanent - and that they have got someone to cover your leave.

Yes he is probably thinking it will save him money as the agency will have to pay SMP for you - though company will probably be invoiced. That could be deeemed as a detrimaent due to pregnancy - not being placed in a permanent role when clearly there is a vacancy and you have been promised it.

Good idea to give ACAS a call 08457 474747 or see CAB

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