Flexible working refused. What now?

[yumscrumfatbum1]

Hi

Can anybody tell me what happens now my flexible hours request has been declined by my work? I can’t go back on the days they have suggested due to being a single mum and not being to get adequate child minding. They won’t budge. It’s their way or no way.
Do I need to resign or do they fire me?
My maternity leave is due to end on 28th May.

If they've refused the request then they will be expecting you back full time once your mat leave finishes. If you can't do that then you have to resign. They can't fire you as your job is open and available to you as per your existing contract. It's frustrating but not every business will be able to accommodate flexible working.

Thanks for answering

You've possibly thought of all this but just in case:-

Are their financial implications to you not returning to work because you have been on above SMP? Any benefit issues to you choosing to resign?

Have they considered your request fairly compared to others?

Can you appeal? This may mean that hey consider a compromise. Most employers say that you can only apply for flexible working every x amount of years so unless they consider an appeal you'd be stuck with your old pattern for that amount of time.

Also if you resign are you liable to pay back some mat pay? I think I’d have to work 3 months on return or pay back if I resign. Worth checking.

Any alternative they might accept? Different days, compressed hours?

They’re not exactly a fair working company. More make it up as they go along. I could appeal but if I won, they’d find another way to get me out or just make my working life difficult.

I’ve been to citizens advice and job centre for their take on things. I’ll have to claim universal credit and I won’t have to pay back any maternity pay.

I made numerous suggestions on how I could return to suit us both but they vetoed everything. It was return on their terms or not at all.

That's rubbish The only positive thing is that a company like that will be so unsupportive to working mothers that you would be miserable and end up leaving at some point that it might be better to know from the outset
Shit but probably saves you a lot of unnecessary grief