Part time return rejected before even taking mat leave

[Bazel95]

Don’t really know what replies I am looking for, maybe just a rant? Due to go on mat leave in 3 weeks, using my holiday to extend by another 9 weeks (2 paid annual leave days a week for 9 weeks in 2026) and I’ve received an email stating they’re unsure if they will be able to accommodate me part time already.
I feel like they just don’t want me back and are using this as an excuse.

Not really anything I can do is there? Feel like it was silly of them to send the email so early though since this was all last discussed in January.. and they said in the email “thank you for your recent request for flexible working” 🤣

It might be worth adding I asked to be considered for a bonus for extra work they gave me via email (they never responded) and I put in a grievance against a colleague who they were trying to get rid of anyway (who has been on unauthorised leave for the last month).

sigh

Why would you apply for part time working right before going on mat leave? It'll half your mat leave pay

Not necessarily, you can have it agreed and then say what date you’d like your new pattern of work to start on.

Unfortunately though OP there’s nothing you can do, you have the right to request it and they have the right to say no.

I didn’t? We had a verbal conversation in which I said I would likely come back part time AFTER mat leave. I am still working full time…

Unfortunately I think it was a bit of an error even mentioning it before you went on mat leave!

Well I can see that now. But they were being very nice and friendly and (my mistake) I thought they actually cared about their employees.
as long as it doesn’t affect my mat leave or pay I’m not really bothered anyway. Just annoying that it turns out they’re the same as all the other employers

What you should do is get to part time jobs instead of a full time job. You can play with the hours.

Yeah I think I will look into this in about 9 months time!