Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Return to work after mat leave

3 replies

Pieandchips83 · 04/02/2023 19:54

Hi,

I have posted a question on here before and the answers were great, so I’m hoping to pick some brains again if anyone is available.

Its the old perennial- a return to work after Mat leave.

I am due to return to work shortly after the birth of my second child. After I returned after my first child in 2020, my employer agreed to make my role part time. This is written in a contract.

they have been v reasonable with me and therefore, I have been flexible with them and even though I work the same days regularly, I have been willing to flex them to meet deadlines. I currently work 3.5 days a week.

after some internal changes, I have been asked to increase my hours. The general vibe being that the role cannot be fulfilled in part time hours. The option of a flexible working contract has also been mooted so that hours can be varied on a weekly basis as per the needs of the business, but with prior warning.

my query is - if I cannot do more than my contracted hours at the moment and they think it is a full time role (with reasonable grounding)…..where does that leave me? Will I be fired or told there’s no job for me anymore? I havent heard from my employer for a week or so so suspect that they are consulting solicitors etc.

For background , the working relationship has been excellent, I’ve been with the same company a decade and I’m now into my additional maternity leave period.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

thanks

OP posts:
Lmgify · 05/02/2023 06:51

I have no idea but I’ll be interested as well

dcadmamagain · 05/02/2023 06:53

I’m not an expert but I think maternity leave means you have to be able to go back to same job you left.

bumpyknuckles · 05/02/2023 06:58

According to Maternity Action, your employer must offer you exactly the same role when you return to work, particularly if your maternity leave is less than 6 months.

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/discrimination-during-maternity-leave-and-on-return-to-work/

New posts on this thread. Refresh page