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Original poster

To reduce working hours

26 replies

NEbotherpet · 14/10/2021 10:05

I'm hoping for some advice please as I am feeling completely frustrated with my work. I'm full time permanent contract within an academy trust, worked there seven years,currently on mat leave.

Have had no communication at all with regards to my maternity leave, kit days and return date. I contacted the head to say this, the reply was when do you want to return. I responded saying I would like to discuss a formal request to reduce my working hours, however she has not replied now for a number of days.
Have contacted HR to ask them about the process again with no response.

I feel completely out of the loop at the minute, haven't a clue what my rights are and quite frankly am dreading the thought of being made to return there on a full time basis.

Can anybody advise please?
Thank you

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 14/10/2021 11:34

www.gov.uk/flexible-working/applying-for-flexible-working

I would go ahead with putting your request in writing as then you have a paper trail. How far into maternity leave are you?

flowery · 14/10/2021 13:42

You should have been notified of your return date before you went on leave. You have 52 weeks leave. If you want to return sooner, you need to notify your employer of your return date.

Do you not have access to HR policies for your Trust? I would expect there to be a flexible working policy for you to follow if you want to reduce your hours on your return.

flowery · 14/10/2021 13:43

I’ve just seen that your HT asked you when you wanted to return. That was absolutely the right thing for him/her to do- your return date is up to you.

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 14/10/2021 21:50

Thanks for the replies I'm going to try and get hold of the policy and submit my request in writing.

I didn't get notified of return date or anything when I started my maternity, am six month into my leave now and the only contact I've had is that one reply to the email

OP posts:

flowery · 14/10/2021 23:03

When they confirmed your maternity leave arrangements that should have included your return date. But it’s 52 weeks so you should be able to work it out.

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 15/10/2021 01:36

Thanks flowery 😊 they never actually confirmed my maternity arrangements, that's part of my issue. I haven't been in the workplace since the first lock down as I am classed as CEV, I was left working from home, so planned on taking my maternity leave on my due date, however the baby arrived earlier than expected. The only communication I have received is being CC'd in an email from the office staff to HR advising them that my maternity leave started on this date.

I've heard nothing at all since, it all feels rather annoying after receiving a reply to now seemingly being ignored

OP posts:

tirtell · 15/10/2021 09:05

I'm not really sure what contact you are expecting; you are on leave after all. Schools can't really win here I don't think, if they contact while you're off people moan they are harassing, if you hear nothing then you're being ignored.

Your return date should have been filled out on paper work you submitted with your matb form for your maternity pay. Leave can be ended at any time if you give 28 days written notice of wanting to return. Reducing your hours might count as a new contract, that will depend on your school. Email again and ask for a meeting with the head would be my advice so you can discuss everything, or contact the business manager/bursar too.

flowery · 15/10/2021 10:53

”I'm not really sure what contact you are expecting; you are on leave after all.”

Perhaps the absolute rock-bottom legally-required minimum of written confirmation of her maternity arrangements and return date?

”Leave can be ended at any time if you give 28 days written notice of wanting to return.”

Nope. Eight weeks’ notice has been required to amend return date, for years now.

Constellationstation · 15/10/2021 11:07

My work are a bit like this with regard to maternity. Although it’s a very different industry. It was really up to me to contact them about when I was going back to work and what hours I wanted to do when I returned etc. I wrote them a formal email telling them when I wanted to go back and officially requesting reduced hours and outlining those hours.
I got the impression they were apprehensive to contact me about anything because of my rights whilst on maternity.

dementedpixie · 15/10/2021 12:04

@tirtell

Her employer should have written to her with the date her leave started and what her return date was. They have not done that.

She has asked to discuss flexible working and they have ignored her requests.

You need 8 weeks notice to change your return date.

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 15/10/2021 13:12

@tirtell since I had not had any face to face contact with my employers since the first lockdown, almost a year before my maternity leave started, all I expected was the bare minimum contact to explain to me my maternity leave etc.

I was asked to post my matb1 form in which included my expected due date, but since then have heard nothing, no confirmation of receipt of matb1, no breakdown of maternity pay, expected return date, how to arrange kit days etc.

Thanks for the helpful comments, I guess I just feel a little but pushed to the side and been left with no information, it's my first time being on maternity leave so don't really even know the basics. I would just like a reply so I can hopefully reduce my days and have a return date in mind. I've asked a colleague who will try and send me the policy and required forms, but really the head could have done this in reply to my email asking for further information about it, rather annoying.

OP posts:

hedgehogger1 · 15/10/2021 14:32

My school wouldn't let me have KIT days. They aren't an entitlement.

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 15/10/2021 16:18

@hedgehogger1 that's fine if that's the case but it'd be nice to know. Everyone else on mat leave previously seems to have had more information and came in for kit days. I'm just totally in the dark.

Anyway I've got a copy of the policy now and the form I need to fill in so I need to work on that, anybody done a similar request before? It's asking me to outline how it will affect colleagues etc.

OP posts:

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 15/10/2021 16:20

Pre leave
Did you enjoy the job? Rate the academy as a working environment?

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 15/10/2021 19:32

@Reallyimeanreally2022 yes I enjoyed it for the most part. When I first started there was a real 'family' feel about the school. This new head took over about two years ago and turn over of staff etc it's just not the same. But I enjoy working with my students who are sen and the term time is ideal for family life. It's just this situation, I know this seems childish but it feels like twisting the knife now that my simple requests for information are being ignored, I feel as though I could just not go back and it's only the students who'd notice

OP posts:

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 22/10/2021 10:58

@dementedpixie @flowery so I still had no reply from the head. In the end I found the policy and have submitted a flexible working request, however still no reply and receipt of it hasn't even been acknowledged. Is there anything at all I could do? I'm not in a union and don't know where to look for advice

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 22/10/2021 11:38

Maybe contact ACAS

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 22/10/2021 11:48

[quote NEbotherpet]**@dementedpixie* @flowery* so I still had no reply from the head. In the end I found the policy and have submitted a flexible working request, however still no reply and receipt of it hasn't even been acknowledged. Is there anything at all I could do? I'm not in a union and don't know where to look for advice [/quote]
When did you?

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 22/10/2021 12:01

@Reallyimeanreally2022
To be fair I only submitted the form this Monday. I know from the policy they have 28 days to arrange a meeting however I thought they might have acknowledged receipt of it

OP posts:

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 22/10/2021 12:32

[quote NEbotherpet]@Reallyimeanreally2022
To be fair I only submitted the form this Monday. I know from the policy they have 28 days to arrange a meeting however I thought they might have acknowledged receipt of it[/quote]
Well there we have it

Don’t go chasing

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 22/10/2021 12:32

And with email… acknowledging receipt not really the norm

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 22/10/2021 12:46

Alright I'll just try and forget about it for now

OP posts:

Finlay1987 · 31/10/2021 20:34

@NEbotherpet Hopefully you will get your hours you have requested but if not I’ve found Unison a great support as I’m in a very similar situation. It’s never too late to join a union.

Original poster

NEbotherpet · 01/11/2021 06:46

[quote Finlay1987]@NEbotherpet Hopefully you will get your hours you have requested but if not I’ve found Unison a great support as I’m in a very similar situation. It’s never too late to join a union.[/quote]
Sorry you're in a similar position. So frustrating, I think I will look into unison. Still no reply but it has been half term

OP posts:

Oftenithinkaboutit · 01/11/2021 07:33

And still within the 28 days

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