KIT Days

[MeadowHay]

Hi, I am currently on mat leave and due back to work in the spring. I have recently been in touch with work about KIT days with the view to doing some after Xmas. The Big Boss at my workplace has got in touch to say that's fine and asked me for a list of dates that I want to do KIT days. I thought KIT days would be more organised by my employer, thinking they would coincide with training/other stuff going on etc . What is your experience with your employer? I work for a large law firm btw, in a junior legal role. I am not sure what to respond because it doesn't really matter what the dates are, I was just thinking it would be better to arrange KIT days for days when training is planned and that kind of thing. If it's not, what will happen when I go in, surely I won't really be able to do anything as I won't have any projects on the go and probably a fair bit will have changed since I was last there (processes, software etc constantly change in my workplace)? Won't I just end up sitting around drinking tea?

Also, how many KIT days am I allowed to work? I tried to Google it but can't find out . I'm keen to do the full amount for the pay as I only get SMP.

You’re entitled to 10 days.

Ask your Manager if there is any training/conferences/important meetings planned?

Don’t ignore your manager’s email.

Take some responsibility for your KIT days if you want them.

Um, I am not going to ignore her e-mail , I'm not sure why you thought I would. As I said, I'm keen to do the KIT days!

I will ask her, I just wondered whether it was the norm just to ask me for dates, rather than suggest any that coincide with things like meetings/training, but maybe it's to see when I can get childcare tbf.

Sorry, I misread the line ‘I’m not sure what to respond’ as ‘I’m not sure whether to respond’

I think it’s great you get to choose. Most mums on maternity leave wouldn’t have childcare available any day the employer chooses.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/keeping-in-touch-days/

If you want to do the full lot for the pay can't you just go back a little earlier?

In my experience the returning employee can only do certain days due to needing childcare, so that's probably what your manager is expecting. Just let her know you can do any days, and ask if there's any training or meetings planned that you could attend for.

Stealth Well, it's not solely for the pay, I was thinking if there was going to be any important meetings, training etc that would help keep me up-to-date and help ease my transition back into the workplace.

However having looked at the link from DJ, I can see that the employer can off-set KIT day pay with SMP. I am absolutely rubbish with numbers so am struggling to understand what that would mean for me even with the examples on the webpage, but will discuss it with DH. I need to speak to work to see what their policy is on KIT day pay but if they do offset it against my SMP it might not be worth doing many after all, as I am on a low wage.

Also, would not want to go back earlier Stealth as have already paid for when nursery will start and would not be able to put her in earlier, but DM and DH can help me with some childcare and that would be easier for them if it was odd days rather than lots of consecutive days in a row.

Makes sense if it's not just for money.
Ime the employer has said we're all training on the 19th and it's suited the woman to attend. I suppose that's what you were expecting.

The Big Boss at my workplace has got in touch to say that's fine and asked me for a list of dates that I want to do KIT days. I thought KIT days would be more organised by my employer, thinking they would coincide with training/other stuff going on etc

^-Everyone I know has chosen their own KIT days. It i not set in stone by your employer

Its normally 10 days with my company and they do normally invite you when there is training or meetings going on.

A bit strange that he's asked for dates unless they are thinking you could help with projects ?

Maybe get in touch and ask if there is any internal training, section meetings, christmas lunches planned and say they may be ideal days to do.

”I was thinking if there was going to be any important meetings, training etc that would help keep me up-to-date and help ease my transition back into the workplace.”

Exactly. In that case your response to your manager should be “I’m very flexible about dates, so could you let me know whether there are any training days or important meetings planned which will help me keep up to date and ease my transition back to work, and I’ll do the KIT days then.