Returning back to work after maternity

[J1968]

Looking for other peoples opinions on the issues I’m having with work after returning from maternity leave. I have been at my work for more than 8 years.

They rejected my part time days I wanted to work and gave me other days that aren’t suitable after telling them I have no childcare, I didn’t appeal so I will have to work them days they’ve gave me. I understand they don’t have to approve them but I thought I’d at least get a call from my manager to discuss maybe other options instead of receiving a letter from hr with they’re final decision on other days.

i was hybrid before maternity leave, I am now being told I’m not getting any days working from home, when I ask for a reason I’m being ignored. Everyone else in my team (full and part time members of staff) all have hybrid working and all of them have recently asked for an extra day at home which has been accepted. This was around the same time I put in my reuqest to work from home 1 day.

I have had no to little communication with my work since telling them I’m coming back part time and I meant to be returning in a few weeks times. I have never had a call from my new manager to discuss anything about me returning to work and my line manager has no answers for any of my questions when I ask so I have nobody talking to me about anything work related.

I ask what work I’m returning to and they refuse to tell me saying it’s not been discussed yet even though they’ve known for 8 months I’m coming back part time and im
due back in a few weeks.

its now been 3 months since I asked what day I can work at home and still no answer but everybody else has had they’re requests accepted. They also took the full 2 months to tell me I couldn’t get my part time days accepted after I had to chase it up as I hadn’t heard anything and i was meant to have a decision in 2 days times.

i also told them I’ll be doing kit days but nobody has approached me to discuss when I can start them

i was told my manager won’t be happy im
returning part time and they’re actions are now showing this with trying to make things awkward

I think you need some independent HR advice. Don't let.them push you around. Standing up to them may make things harder in the short term, but they will respect you for it. Good luck!

I am now being told I’m not getting any days working from home, when I ask for a reason I’m being ignored.

Sadly this is likely because far too many mums take the piss and do childcare/have their babies around during work hours. Not saying you would, but it only takes a few to spoil it for the rest. I know a friend whose office has a no WFH if you have children under 7 rule.

You say you have no childcare. Are all nurseries/CM oversubscribed?

I sometimes think it is better just to go back full time longer term in terms of career and not losing money etc. I went back full time and it has been best but it was certainly very expensive to find full time childcare for a baby.

I think they have turned your WFH request down because you told them you have no childcare on the days they want you to work. I doubt they will change their mind now.

And rightly so if OP was planning on having her child around while 'working'. Wouldn't be allowed in most offices. But it is a shame if she can prove she has got childcare in place and would therefore be fully concentrating on work.