Page 2 | Nhs changing hours when returning back to work post maternity

rubayr · 2022-11-07T14:44:33+00:00

Hi I work for the nhs and they are suppose to be 'family friendly' on returning back to work after maternity leave and with childcare etc Wondering if anyone works for nhs and had problems with the hours they want to return being rejected.?

TrixJax · 02/12/2022 13:41

My friend is a midwife on a labour ward. They tried to pull this with her last year when she was returning from mat leave. Prior to DC she worked 3 x 12.5 hr shifts and wanted to reduce to 2 shifts.
Her childcare is combination of nursery and family.
She managed to negotiate one fixed day a week which she booked nursery for. The other day or night she knows 4 weeks in advance and has to hope it falls on the 2 days a week her MIL is off or 2 days DH is off. But she's lucky there's a shortage of midwives so they couldn't afford to lose her!

I think it's worked fairly well but there have been occasions she's had to try and swap shift or someone in family has had to take annual leave.
Could you try and even get 1 fixed day? Would that help at all?

Stressfordays · 02/12/2022 13:55

2 days a week is very normal for part timers in the NHS who do 12 hour shifts for all those saying they wouldn't employ people on 2 days.

If you're a nurse, my advice would be go private sector, more flexible and better pay. Hca or midwife then I'm not entirely sure what options you have but I would certainly look at other areas as most places are crying out for people.

chezpopbang · 02/12/2022 14:01

I worked full time for NHS and requested to come back 3 days a week. It was approved but I know others who haven't been. It really does depend on the area you work in and how well staffed they are.

Original poster

rubayr · 02/12/2022 14:14

TrixJax · 02/12/2022 13:41

My friend is a midwife on a labour ward. They tried to pull this with her last year when she was returning from mat leave. Prior to DC she worked 3 x 12.5 hr shifts and wanted to reduce to 2 shifts.
Her childcare is combination of nursery and family.
She managed to negotiate one fixed day a week which she booked nursery for. The other day or night she knows 4 weeks in advance and has to hope it falls on the 2 days a week her MIL is off or 2 days DH is off. But she's lucky there's a shortage of midwives so they couldn't afford to lose her!

I think it's worked fairly well but there have been occasions she's had to try and swap shift or someone in family has had to take annual leave.
Could you try and even get 1 fixed day? Would that help at all?

I have a meeting with my manager and hr next week to see how to proceed.
I feel like they are being so awkward and making this last few months of my maternity leave so stressed and full of worry

OP posts:

cptartapp · 02/12/2022 14:28

I was told I had six months to sort childcare cover for a new NHS nursing shift pattern including working ad hoc between 7am - 10pm.
I couldn't do it, so after 13 years had to leave.
The needs of the business came first I was told. That service is now crying out for staff.

Wishiwasatailor · 02/12/2022 14:36

Maybe I’m lucky where I am but I requested part time fixed days otherwise I would leave. knowing that there is a shortage of staff everywhere locally and that I’d be able to get a new job that fitted with my needs. alternatively I knew that bank work was available daily and has been for years and meant I would be able to pick and choose exactly when I wanted to work (and get paid at the top of the band)

2022again · 02/12/2022 14:39

it's worth checking out alternative roles now within your trust or other nearby trusts , unless you have a particular specialism or banding that there are no posts to move to? it's rare not to be able to find alternate work if you are clinical staff ....at least then you could have something to come back at them with if they really don't wat to consider giving you more certainty...or ,if you are planning to have another child sooner rather than later see what you can "make do" with until your next mat leave. you also might find bank shifts more appealing if you can only get childcare on specific days.

TrixJax · 02/12/2022 15:42

Are you clinical staff @rubayr ?
If so there's honestly so many jobs out there, even it doesn't quite suit speciality-wise the hours may suit for next few years.
I would start looking for another job and let your manager and HR know you are doing this as you can't sort childcare without fixed days.

Another thing you could do is go back your 4 days but as you'll have all your AL take 2 days off every week. Do that for 3 months to keep your mat pay and spend that time looking for another job. That way you can even go to private sector without losing mat pay

Original poster

rubayr · 05/12/2022 12:31

TrixJax · 02/12/2022 15:42

Are you clinical staff @rubayr ?
If so there's honestly so many jobs out there, even it doesn't quite suit speciality-wise the hours may suit for next few years.
I would start looking for another job and let your manager and HR know you are doing this as you can't sort childcare without fixed days.

Another thing you could do is go back your 4 days but as you'll have all your AL take 2 days off every week. Do that for 3 months to keep your mat pay and spend that time looking for another job. That way you can even go to private sector without losing mat pay

My job is very niche and they don't have my position in the private sector.
I had my meeting and they are giving me the days I want for 12 weeks and then it's going to the days they want me to work as it's the 'department needs' and I have 12 weeks to get childcare sorted !!

OP posts:

Kardelen · 05/12/2023 19:52

Hi @rubayr any updates on what happened?
im on the same boat. Reduced my hours/days the first time I was on mat leave, but with a second baby I need to reduce it further. also needed fixed days, but if they let me do earlies it would mean I could do any day.