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Original poster

Returning to work after mat leave

32 replies

MunchkinJess · 09/08/2018 18:13

I am returning to work after a year off .

I have requested and been accepted for three day a week . I have 56 days accrued holiday which I play to rake as 4th day till it runs out so I am paid for four days rather than three for a year .

My husband seems to think my contract to say I am working four days a week as I am taking the fourth day holiday but I have tried to explain to him that it doesn't work like that as I am techniciaally working three but using accrued holiday for the fourth.

Anyone have any links to websites where shows this so I explain it to him better as he keeps getting very frustrated not understanding it and I am getting annoying having to explain it over and over again

OP posts:
greendale17 · 09/08/2018 18:14

Your husband is correct. Your contract should state that you are working 4 days. Then you then book off the 4th day as leave.

I assume your manager is fine with this?

newyearnewname18 · 09/08/2018 18:17

Agree with your husband and the other poster.

Make sure your holidays are also accruing based on the fact that you are 'working' four days a week after you return as well.

Your work sound like they don't know what they are doing.

SassitudeandSparkle · 09/08/2018 18:22

This wouldn't be allowed in any company I've worked for either, sorry OP. Do you have a letter from your company agreeing to pay your holiday pay in this way? You can normally only book a day's holiday for a day that you are down to work so if you have 3 days work you couldn't work three and book a fourth as holiday. You'd have to work two and book the third as holiday.

Does your contract say four days a week or three?!

Osirus · 09/08/2018 18:26

If you want to book a day off, you have to be contracted to work it. I work two days and couldn’t book one of my non-working days as holiday.

Original poster
MunchkinJess · 09/08/2018 18:43

I have a letter that says I am contracted to work three day a week and the fourth day is coming out of my accrued holiday .

How can I be contracted to work four days if I'm technically working three and the fourth day is coming out of accrued holiday.

A lot of companies allow you to use your accrued holiday as you want so either getting paid in a lump etc or delaying your start day back . I am just choosing to spread it out over the year

OP posts:
PrincessScarlett · 09/08/2018 18:51

Yes, but if you are only contracted to work 3 days they cannot let you take holiday for a day you don't work. You are effectively throwing away your holiday.

Original poster
MunchkinJess · 09/08/2018 18:56

@PrincessScarlett

So what should my letter state then ? That I am working four days ?

OP posts:
flowery · 09/08/2018 18:58

Your husband is correct. Your contractual hours need to be 4 days a week, going down to three days a week at the appropriate time. Otherwise your salary will be wrong!

eurochick · 09/08/2018 18:58

I agree with your husband too. I am contracted to work full time (five days a week). I took today off so I will only work 4 days this week. My holiday was taken on what would otherwise have been a working day.

TrippingTheVelvet · 09/08/2018 19:01

Just another piling in to say your husband is correct. You should be contracted at 4 days and using a days holiday until it runs out. When it does, your contract should be updated to stipulate 3 days.

VimFuego101 · 09/08/2018 19:02

I agree with your husband. I don't think you would have much of a leg to stand on with your current contract if they decided to keep you at 3 days after you use all your holiday, and it may impact the account of holiday you accrue in future.

flowery · 09/08/2018 19:02

”he keeps getting very frustrated not understanding it”

Grin he understands it very well!

PrincessScarlett · 09/08/2018 19:03

Your letter should state that you are contracted to work 4 days per week until x date and you will use accrued holiday to take every, for example, Thursday off. Thereafter you will reduce your contracted hours to 3 days per week.

I can't believe the stupidity of your HR department. Or they know they are stitching you up big time.

ADastardlyThing · 09/08/2018 19:03

Another vote for the h being correct, was it an actual contract or just a letter confirming arrangements?

56 days accrued holidays though, wow! Do they have a generous allowance? Have you thought about how you'll get on not having any longer breaks for a whole year?

HollyBollyBooBoo · 09/08/2018 19:11

Your husband is right! Our contract is for 4 days a week for the next 56 weeks (assuming you're only using 1 day per week holiday). Then your pay/pension/discount/ bonus will be correct.

Then after 56 weeks you go to a 3 day per week contract.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 09/08/2018 19:13

Presumably whilst you're taking the 4th day as holiday you're still accruing holiday as a 4 day a weeker so you'll use that for your week/ 2 week breaks etc.

greendale17 · 09/08/2018 19:15

How can I be contracted to work four days if I'm technically working three and the fourth day is coming out of accrued holiday.

^What don’t you get?

TrippingTheVelvet · 09/08/2018 19:18

And correct me if I'm wrong but if OP is being contracted to 3 days and being paid an additional forth, would she not be doing herself out of leave in the future i.e wouldn't be able to accrue as much additional leave?

HannahnotAgnes · 09/08/2018 19:22

Another who agrees with your DH - yo what contract should state that you are contracted for 4 days per week, moving down to 3 days per week at X date (with a note to say that you'll be taking 1 day per week as annual leave).

That's the only way you'll get paid for 4 days per week & also means your holiday should accrue at a 4-day per week rate rather than at 3-days per week. You'll be doing yourself out of properly accruing leave / pension contributions etc etc.

Hope you get it sorted & your company aren't deliberately trying to fleece you.

HannahnotAgnes · 09/08/2018 19:23

*yo what should be 'your' - weird auto correct!

SassitudeandSparkle · 09/08/2018 19:32

Does that 56 days include the rest of your holidays for this year, OP? Because they will accrue at a different rate if you are part-time.

Momo27 · 11/08/2018 09:59

Implications for your work pension, as well as your annual leave entitlement. It may not seem a big deal right now, but ‘every little bit counts’ and your pension entitlement for a year worked as 0.8 (4 days of a working week) will be different from a year worked as only 0.6

LilacIris · 11/08/2018 10:07

A lot of companies allow you to use your accrued holiday as you want so either getting paid in a lump etc or delaying your start day back. I am just choosing to spread it out over the year

No they don’t. It is normal to have to take them as soon as you return to work, so yes to delaying your start but I’ve never known of any company allowing what yours is. Is it a small company you work for? Who has agreed it?

mrs2468 · 11/08/2018 10:16

Not point of the post but how has 56 days been calculated seems very high.

Original poster
MunchkinJess · 13/08/2018 13:54

@mrs2468 because I took very little holiday before I went on mat leave

We get 30 days at my place then bank holidays on top

OP posts:
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