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Original poster

Changing working arrangements whilst on maternity leave

19 replies

Louisec128 · 19/10/2023 19:57

So I'm on maternity leave and due back in a few months. Prior to maternity leave, I worked 2 long set days and 5 hours flexible working over the other 3 days (these were confirmed when accepting the post which I have in an email, my cobtract just states 22.5 weekly hours). However, when I started I was asked to make a flexible working request form to cement these arrangements I guess, these were passed by my manager but apparently declined higher up, but my manager continued to allow me to work like this as it was in both the business and my best interest. I was called last week to say that these arrangements can't continue when I return as they can't keep it quiet anymore as the bosses are "scrutinising" people more and asking to see timesheets etc. I explained that I wont be putting my (will be then) 1 year old in childcare so if I can no longer work 5 hours flexibly I would have to cut my hours to do just the 2 long set days (when my mum has my son). She said this would also be declined as the business is busy. I have now had to make another flexible working request form, even though 2 set days and 1 floating were the terms i accepted the post on, for her to reply to say there will be a meeting held to discuss my request within 28 days and I may wish to being a representative with me. I have been talking to my union throughout each step this far, but my biggest upset right now is the effect its already having on me. Im very emotional, tired because my anxiety (I have GAD) has been keeping me awake, and I'm angry and upset that it's only been a week and its already effecting my time with my baby. This is my maternity leave and it shouldn't be ruined like this. The stress of it all it making me feel like handing in my notice because even the thought of this meeting makes me feel sick and that could be weeks away. But then I don't want to give up a permanent, well paid and term time only post as I know they're hard to find. Im just very sad right now.

OP posts:

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 20:09

Don't make rash decisions. This is perfectly resolvable.

withoutapaddl · 19/10/2023 20:54

Sorry you're experiencing the feelings of stress and anxiety while on MAT leave.
Also sounds a shitty reason to suddenly change your arrangements.
Unfortunately women can be really stuffed over when childcare/careers/demands come in to play and it is so so wrong.
I hope it's resolvable for you, and quickly so you can separate from it again.

LadyLapsang · 19/10/2023 21:26

As @user1846385927482658 says, this is perfectly resolvable. It sounds like you agree on the two set days, so it’s just a case of the 5 hours. How did you work the five hours previously without childcare? When does the business need you?

Original poster

Louisec128 · 20/10/2023 06:09

@LadyLapsang it's actually 4.5hrs. I did it before whislt my toddler (this time wkll be baby as hes in school now) napped, when husband arrived home from work (teacher hes home by 4), early in the morning or evening as it was mainly admin work. I understand why there would be a issue with working whilst not having childcare, but they knew I was dling this beforehand and agreed to it. I also suggested dropping those 4.5 hrs because of thus and they sajd they'd decline.

OP posts:

nc14 · 20/10/2023 06:13

What does your contract actually say regarding your pattern of work?

MyCircumference · 20/10/2023 06:13

sounds like you need to get child chair for the 4.5 hours

Jethia · 20/10/2023 09:17

You don't need to give up your job, there's various options you can discuss at the meeting. It may just be they need to put the 4.5 hrs on a more formal footing. Do you go into the office on your 2 long days or is it totally wfh?

they agree to you continuing to work these hours from home, or from the office, when DH home but on a set day time eg. Thursday 4.30 - 9pm
you get childcare for half a day and work the hours during the day.

Original poster

Louisec128 · 20/10/2023 09:59

My contract doesn't state anything other than 22.5 hrs in a week. I'm struggling to see past how they can just change the arrangements whilst just because they're "watching people more". Finding childcare for 4.5 isnt an option, I'd have to pay for the whole day, one day every week, and I work term time so I'd also be paying when it's not required and regardless of that, bottom line is I do not want him in childcare at 1 years old. The 2 set days can be wherever they want me, home/office or visits (I drive around a lot). I don't think 4.5 hrs flexibly is a big ask when they gave me the job on this basis and it's how I've worked for the year before having my baby.

OP posts:

LadyLapsang · 20/10/2023 11:08

Do you think the outcomes from the 4.5 hours pw are sufficiently visible or do you think people may think you are not actually working effectively in these hours? I have colleagues who are totally relaxed and open about scheduling a call at 7pm after their DH comes home and takes over with the children and another who logs on and works before the children wake up. However, there are others who are very vague about their availability for a Teams calls, take longer to respond and don’t appear to achieve as much.

mrsed1987 · 20/10/2023 11:22

Unfortunately I have been through similar in that I was assured I could do 3 days a week then when I met with my manager she refused and said 4 days. I actually left because I didn't want to do 4 days.

Just wait and see what happened at the meeting, as much as its difficult to relax

Original poster

Louisec128 · 20/10/2023 12:31

Up to this point the working arrangements have been praised throughout and I was informed that they worked well for the project as the other workers are part time too so ke working this way meant there was someone available at some point all througgout the week. My boss has also been telling me continuously how happy and lucky she feels that I joined the team, and even hinted about training me up for a higher position. So they haven't given a justifiable reason to change my terms other than people are being watched more now - which in my opinion isn't a valid reason if my work ethic is not in question.

OP posts:

Whataretheodds · 20/10/2023 12:34

I think you may be in a position to argue that you've already demonstrated it working and your performance has been recognised so no issues. You may also be able to claim "custom and practice". But I'm not an employment lawyer.

ChessieFL · 20/10/2023 12:41

Speak to ACAS or Pregnant then Screwed. I think you may have a good argument that these hours have become your contractual terms as you’ve been working them with no complaint from the business for a year or so, but I’m not expert in this area so ACAS should be able to advise on this.

higgledypup · 20/10/2023 13:12

You could offer to set the 4.5hrs on the same day in a chunk between school hours and use a childminder. A lot of childminders will do term time only.

LadyLapsang · 20/10/2023 13:27

The people are being watched more comment is odd. Have you been going in for KiT days, do you know what has been happening in your team / the organisation while you have been on maternity leave? Might they be looking to get rid of people without redundancy pay outs? Are you in a union, if not, join now before the proposed meeting.

I would attend the meeting with your game face on (even if you don’t feel it) full of how you are looking forward to returning and mention a few plans to take priorities forward.

SecondUsername4me · 20/10/2023 13:30

What is your actually contracted hours/week? I know you say 22.5 but over how many days? The 2xlong and free flow 5 hrs wasn't approved, so what was actually the contractual split?

Jethia · 20/10/2023 15:48

The people are being watched more comment is odd. Have you been going in for KiT days, do you know what has been happening in your team / the organisation while you have been on maternity leave?

Yes this^
You may be being caught up in something bigger going on.

Has there been change of overall manager recently? Has there been an "incident"?

Friend of mine works for service which has been home based since covid but she goes out on visits. An incident with one staff member which went undetected as no-one saw him in person has resulted in all of them back to their office based 3 days a week. It's promoted as offering more "support" to staff but policy has to applied equally to everyone.

Are you particularly friendly with any colleagues you could ask what's going on?
I'd go to the meeting with your evidence it's been working well and see what they have to say. Don't agree to anything there and then, go home and consider your options

Original poster

Louisec128 · 20/10/2023 15:48

My contract states 22.5 in 5 days. That's it, no othet specifics. The 2 long days and 4.5 hrs flexi was approved/offered over the phone/email when I accepted the post, I was going to take the job on 2 days only it was them that suggested the 2 long days and 1 flexible (to match what I was doing in my previous role). Had this have not been offered I wouldn't have taken the job on a 3 day basis in the first place, as I only had childcare for 2 days. I already have an union and contacted them... They said the fact that this agreement was hush hush is not my problem, I should be returning to the same t&c (it states this in the policy), and they also shouldn't have brought this up when I still have 3 months left of mat leave.

OP posts:

LadyLapsang · 20/10/2023 17:35

Make sure you send a copy of the email agreeing the working arrangement to your personal email account. I would definitely be trying to find out more context and go in for some KiT days if you can.

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