Reducing hours NHS after baby

[Whattodo898]

Hello,

I am wondering if any other NHS staff have had success in reducing their hours after having a baby?

I am a midwife, already only on 24 hours but also had my third (surprise) baby in October 2021. I am really struggling to work out how I am going to go back to work, my husband looked after our last daughter (she’s now 6) but since has had major MH issues and still isn’t 100% right. I am his registered carer. Before I went off I worked split nights the last 2/3 years which they were great about as it meant I could do majority of childcare too.

However, this baby is a very poor sleeper, I’m breastfeeding, my DH won’t cope with 12 hour day or night shifts so I was thinking short shifts would be best and then I can use a nursery too. But I only want to do 2 to start with until he’s bigger so that would be a drop from 24 hours to 15. I know I am lucky to be on 24 hours as there is a massive drive to make everyone full time atm with the way continuity of care is going but I am not sure how I will cope otherwise and will probably end up leaving until I can go back when youngest is older.

so I guess I’m looking for any success stories/advice? I’m due back in October. Thanks

At my trust breastfeeding at night is considered a valid reason to go back to work on day shifts only. I dropped from full-time mixed shifts to two set long days (so 23h total). When I made my flexible working request I offered to work every Saturday - it's a bit annoying but I thought they'd be more likely to accommodate me if I was willing to take on 50% unsociable hours. They are supposed to accommodate flexible working requests unless they can provide a good reason in writing that it's not possible. The RCM has some info here:
www.rcm.org.uk/media/5444/maternity-rights3.pdf

One of my colleagues in my team is coming back to work in a few weeks after mat leave, left last April to have the baby. We’re full time nurse specialists. When she had her discussion about returning to work, she initially said she’d like to do 75%of her hours, and this was agreed, with review in a year. She’s now said she wants to do 50%of her hours. That has also been agreed. She will have the use of our video consultation room twice a day for pumping. She’ll be doing about 18 and a half hours per week. Just ask, if it works for you and your family. I’ll be glad to have her back, whatever hours she’s working, and I’m sure that your team will feel the same. Hope it pans out, OP.

Midwife here too! 👋If they don't accept your request for reduced hours, how about going on the bank until you are ready to apply for a permanent post again? I can't think of any NHS trust where there isn't a desperate need for more midwives so there will more than likely always be hours available. Also with bank you can pick and choose your working hours so gives you a huge amount of flexibility and you won't need to work nights either. I suppose it does come with the risk that there might not be shifts available but it also keeps your foot in the door and provides more security than straight up leaving.

Thank you guys.

yes Bluestripeysocks that’s what I will do if they won’t agree on it. But saying that, it’s mainly Long shifts that need covering at my work but it is a big obstetric unit so maybe some hours rather than the whole shift they would accept if they are desperate.