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Original poster

To think I'll have to leave Nhs

39 replies

BalticUnicorn · 05/09/2017 21:05

Hello due to go on mat leave soon. Already been told my job cannot be part time and looking around there a very few part time permanent jobs on my grade. I think I'll have to leave the nhs to get part time working won't I? Has anyone else been in this position?

OP posts:

LadyWithLapdog · 05/09/2017 21:10

You still have time to look around and decide. You might even want to return full time. Keep your options open. Enjoy your M/L.

Original poster

BalticUnicorn · 05/09/2017 21:15

I defo don't want to be full time. The hours aren't comptable with childcare and the job is crap

OP posts:

lljkk · 05/09/2017 21:19

If you said what kinds of work you were qualified to do, folk might be able to make some suggestions to help.

Ginmakesitallok · 05/09/2017 21:21

In my experience the nhs are really good at allowing pt working. Because they are such big employers it's quite difficult for them to come up with a good business reason why pt wouldn't work. What do you do? Could it be a job share?

laptopshmaptop · 05/09/2017 21:23

Not really the point of your post, but be aware that the NHS rules relating to maternity pay require you to return to work for at least 3 months, otherwise you need to pay it back.

Original poster

BalticUnicorn · 05/09/2017 21:24

Im a nurse I know I have to return to the nhs for 3 months in some guise xx

OP posts:

NerrSnerr · 05/09/2017 21:28

What vague area do you work in? I work in the community and most staff in my team are part time. When on maternity leave last time I applied for my current job. It was advertised full time but we negotiated 30 hours. I will go down to 3 days after this maternity leave.

laptopshmaptop · 05/09/2017 21:37

Thought you might, but also thought it worth mentioning just in case.

My SIL was an full time HDU nurse then applied for (and got) a PEF (Practice education facilitator - we're in Scotland) post on return from mat leave and negotiated part time on that. She does 1 bank shift a month to keep her hand in. Maybe to colleagues/RCN/training body for some careers advice?

Original poster

BalticUnicorn · 05/09/2017 21:51

Thanks everyone. My manager isn't keen on me and hates part time so even if I did get it I think she would make it fail if you get what I mean.

OP posts:

LadyWithLapdog · 05/09/2017 21:52

You don't have to leave the NHS because of one person.

FrankiesKnuckle · 05/09/2017 22:00

Have you read the NHS flexible working policy? You are well within your right to request flexible or reduced hours and your direct manager/HR/trust would have to have a bloody good reason to refuse your request.
Are you in unison? If yes, perhaps chat with your rep.

Original poster

BalticUnicorn · 05/09/2017 22:10

If my life is made hell I'll leave it's too short for all that crap. I'm in rcn so may phone them good idea x

OP posts:

FabulouslyGlamorousFerret · 06/09/2017 07:04

Can you not transfer to a ward/dept with a more forward thinking manager?

shortcake76 · 07/09/2017 17:43

Your LM has to consider flexible working and would need to justify why this was not considered an option in your case for your job role. They can't base it on the fact they don't like part-time workers! Alternatively, have you spoken to your HR Advisor about possible redeployment?

Another poster is correct. If you take the NHS Mat pay and you don't return, you will have to pay it back.

shortcake76 · 07/09/2017 17:44

PS with the NHS Flexi working policy usually the onus is on the employee to justify to managers how they would cover their role on the reduced hours / flexible working form. That may be just the NHS Trust I work for, but I suspect all of the policies and forms are the same everywhere.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 07/09/2017 17:48

Going against the grain here, I totally get what you mean OP. I am a nurse by background, moved fields to get a job that fitted around childcare (no way could I do a permanent job on the wards / crit care etc because of shifts). Even the job I am in now is not particularly flexible.

Plus my manager hates flexible working .

I am assuming I'll have to leave the NHS in the future too, or do bank work. The flexibility in clinical work is just not there if you need to cover childcare drop off and pick up.

PP are right about mat pay though.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 07/09/2017 17:49

I got good advice from the RCN a while back now. Their advice was to consider leaving the NHS in the long term . (They did also give some excellent short term advice).

jimijack · 07/09/2017 17:53

Yes, after 25 years, reaching band 7, loving my job I had to leave.
I had a baby, I could not afford £750 a month childcare costs so went to my lm to negotiate pt hour's.
She refused outright stating the "needs of the service" dictated my original hour's, therefore pt could not be granted.

I had no choice.
I have never recovered from this, professionally or personally.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 07/09/2017 17:59

jimijack . It's a common tale.

IME the NHS can be very flexible / good for part time if you are in a non clinical role, in particular admin and clerical roles. Or if you can do shift work.

If you are clinical and want to do childcare friendly hours it can be almost impossible, even if you move to a much less clinical role. The 'needs of the service' plus inflexible managers do not allow it.

jimijack · 07/09/2017 18:04

It is common but it's so unfair, I know that the job could have been done to a very high standard as a job share.

I miss that job all the time, have never felt as fulfilled or expert at any role since.

My confidence is still at rock bottom and I feel constantly unsettled 4 years on. It was professional suicide leaving and not fighting for that job.

Ttbb · 07/09/2017 18:08

Can you take it up with HR?

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 07/09/2017 18:10

HR will prioritise the needs of the service but it is worth a go.

jimijack · 07/09/2017 18:15

The repeated message is "the needs of the service" this is what I was told repeatedly.

Nothing at to do with the fact that I did the required 3 months, part time with use of annual leave perfectly well, and after leaving they couldn't fill my role for over 8 months. They delivered absolutely no service for months and months rather than trying to accommodate me, experienced, efficient, reliable, track record of excellence, trust wide respected member of staff.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 07/09/2017 18:27

jimijack, if it makes you feel better, from the other side of things, I stayed and fought as did some of my colleagues. I'm not convinced it has helped my career and I am still looking at leaving as it is so hard to make it work.

I also know lots of people who went part time / flexible hours in other specialities. Lots then left as they couldn't do it without supportive management either.

The NHS treats its experienced staff so badly and loses so many of them. Of course being the cynical person that I am, I think people want this to happen so that they can have less staff to save money.

Original poster

BalticUnicorn · 07/09/2017 18:35

I will speak to hr whether they'll be helpful well see. I may have to do bank work or ask for a part time contract back as a band 5

OP posts:

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