NHS flexible working

[Bee91]

I'll be returning to work in January from 10 months maternity leave.
I'm a mental health nurse on a ward. Previously i worked 37.5 per week over 5 shifts.

I plan to go back 26 hours a week, over tuesdays, fridays and weekends.

I'm struggling with two questions on the flexible working application. They didn't employ anyone to cover my role specifically, and there's always a need for staff. so me just returning to work is a good thing for them - but I can't write that haha.

1. Impact of the new working pattern follows (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary):

I think this change in my working pattern will affect service users, Trust/department, my colleagues/team as follows:

1. Accommodating the new working pattern follows: (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary):

I think the effect on service users, Trust/department, my colleagues/team can be dealt with as follows:

Any help appreciated please...

The best person to speak to for help is probably your line manager. Generally, the more flexible you're willing to be around your new , the more flexible your employer will be in return.

1. is about how your new working pattern will impact the rest of the team - would they employ someone to cover the remaining 11.5 hours or would the team have to pick up the extra hours and work? I imagine your willingness to work weekends will also work in your favour . Could you be flexible around covering colleagues' holidays too, that could be a bonus for them? They basically want to make sure your proposed new working pattern isn't going to throw the team in a spin and make thing difficult or unfair.

1. I'm not sure what they mean in 2.... Possibly about what days/hours you'll do, why you've chosen those days/hours, and how the cover for the remaining 11.5 hours might work?