Help! Part time working application rejected

[mummyofrb]

My work have rejected my application for part time working. They are saying I have to return to work full time or work 6 weeks then resign in order to pay back my SMP. When they rejected my part time application I got no email/letter. Have they treated this situation properly?? I'm really stressed as I don't want to return full time and can't afford to not work! My child is 10 months.

Can you learn to drive? I did it on my last 3 months of maternity leave and opened up more jobs for me locally when deciding what to do on my return.

10 months is a decent time to have off. I had to return to work after 6 months. That was normal when I had my DC - late 90s. I don’t know anyone who had any longer off. You’ll get all the school holidays off, which is a big benefit.

Is your mum having her 5 days a week? That's a big ask in my opinion. Can't you do a few days nursery?

They have to have a valid reason to reject it, and the reason needs to prove how it would be detrimental to business. They also need to put this in writing and/or explain to you fully. They also need to prove theyve explored options for you to reduce hours, ie consider a job share role or post anew part time role to cover the hours youve dropped. If theyve not even explored this to accomodate your request, then you have a good ground to appeal. Join the union asap of you havnt already, and seek advise through a representative. It sounds like they’ve assumed you’d settle for there answer but you shouldn't. Most employers will try and reject it but in reality, they have to cover large grounds to do so, so definitely challenge it.

I've tried to join union but they won't help on ongoing issues so you need to join before you have issue? Should I email school with these points? I just don't want to provoke them if you get me as I may need references in future.

@mummyofrb ask to see your flexible workong policy by the school. If i were you id would of requested this before id even put the part time application in. The only reason i say this is because im currently 16 weeks pregnant and im already planning ahead to go back part time after ive had baby and finished maternity. In the flexible working policy i have for my organisation, it clearly outlines how i should reauest it, and how my employer should respond to the request. Their answer should be returned to me in 28 days, in writing. If denied, they need to explain why and how (such as how they believe me going part time will affect the business). In my particular role, they could simply put me to 3 days a week instead of 5 and then put a part time post out for another person to work the 2 days ive worked, that way business isnt affected and all hours are covered and they catered to my needs/request. I would go to your school, speak with hr and just ask politely why these points havnt been covered. There is always room for negotiation aswell, so if you say you want to work 3 days, they might come bakc and say ‘we deny that request, but how would you feel working 4?’. Even if you arent with the union, take a friend or family member to a meeting with moral support if allowed. None of this is you being unreasonable, they cannot give you a negative reference for any of this. If they arent following a standard policy correctly then it is them in the wrong snd them who need lightly challenged. Alot of employers try and get away with this in the hope the employee doesnt argue against decisions. But if you dont then you wont get the part time you want. All organisations are different, i dont know how it works with schools, but thats the usual policy to follow xxx

Because it is school they have to consider the needs of the children, how changes have affected them, the make up of the cohort and if they accommodate your needs without a knock on effect and the financial cost of another person plus ppa time and communication with the other teacher and their ppa time. Probably harder if you are in primary than secondary?

I'm a teacher and my part time (4 days) request was initially refused for one of the business reasons. I think the problem is there's a huge queue of people wanting to be a TA and if they want a full time person they know they'll be able to find one easily. If you look on some of the teaching union websites you'll find some relevant advice to your situation.

I went back to work straight to 5 days as obviously school staff don't have annual leave to ease us back in. It's a big adjustment but you'll find your way and your dd wIll be fine.

Thanks for all your comments, they have now told me I can apply for a career break. Does anyone have any experience of this??? I have also been offered a retail job of 12 hrs a week I am so undecided

I am a teacher and went back to work full time after DD1. It soon becomes your normal and often the anticipation is worse than the reality. I don't think you can beat the holidays and love spending all that time with DDs. Term time is very busy as I have marking and planning to do (which you wouldn't have) but I worked in another career before teaching and would find it very difficult to go back to 28 days leave a year. Could you learn to drive as a PP suggested? That would cut your commute down and make the days much shorter.

You need to discuss this offer with your employer and get their agreement.

@Keepsmiling1 thanks so much for this I think I'm just delaying the inevitable I know it's what'll be best for my family just so upsetting when I think of my little one needing me and me not been there:( I think I'll try and do a day before Xmas hols then go back properly after that! I feel sooo sad about it:(

But you will be there for your child. More than a lot of other full time working parents. I also think children benefit from spending time with other people in different settings. Could your mum do a couple of days childcare and then nursery for a few days. Our reception teacher always says she can tell the children who have been to pre school (I know it's a way off yet) so try to see it as a positive rather than a negative. You will feel sad when you first go back (I cried walking out of nursery on the first day) but you get used to it very quickly.