Returning to work after Mat leave

[Scotmum89]

Looking for a bit of advice

I should be returning to work after 9 months off on mat leave in April . I previously worked Monday, Wednesday 9:15 -6 and Friday 8-6.

I had my return to work meeting the other day where I requested that I dropped the Monday and I would work Wednesday, Friday 9:30 -6 . Due to childcare. This was a drop in hours from 26/27 hours a week to 16 a week.

At the meeting all seemed well and the manager stated that will be fine.

I then received an email today stating due to staffing they can't let me drop the Monday and can't let me start at 9:30 on a Friday. But I can start at 9:30 on a Wednesday.

So overall out of my requests their only allowing me a 15 minute drop in hours.

Is there anything else I can do or will I need to start looking for another job?

Thanks

No, you can't insist on a change of hours. They should treat this as a flexible working request and need to give one of the 7 legal reasons for refusal. Being unable to redistribute your work/recruit someone to work 1 day a week would be covered by these.