Flexible working following maternity leave

[amymoom]

I return to work in Dec following a years maternity leave and have requested to reduce my hours from full time - 5 full days to 2.5 days. I received the response today - my request has been approved as long as they can recruit someone to cover the remaining hours. Where does this leave me? I feel like I can't plan or prepare for my return to work (childminder etc). Also, what if they can't recruit anyone does that effectively mean my request has been rejected?

Yes, it sounds like jf they can't find another 2.5 day person, they'll reject your request. It might be worth asking them about what if they can't find someone.

What job do you do? Some lend themselves to part time working better than others

Also be honest have you picked the 'good' days? I worked somewhere where a colleague did just that and we struggled to recruit and keep a job share person because it was such a crap set up for them.