Returning to work and using accrued leave

[Enraha]

Hi

Can any HR bods help with this one? I'm going back to work in Dec, having accrued nearly 12 months of leave (25 days, as if full-time).

My new job is likely to be 3 or 4 days per week. Can I go back to work on 5-day contract until end of year and use hols to create short weeks, or would a new part-time contract have to kick-in as soon as I go back, IYSWIM. If new contract must start, I think I might be able to stay off until January using accrued leave plus new non-working days.

I'm a bit confused

Not sure Enraha but be careful. Someone i know went back part time and they changed her work made it so only the first half of her ML leave she was accruing full time leave. the seconds half they counted as part time, therefore she got less leave than she thought. I am trying to go back 3 days a week so am hoping the same doesn't happen to me!

The rules are different re accruing holiday when on SML and OML unless your company has a more enhanced plan than the legal minimum!!
The only issue I can see you are going back to a new job that is 3/4 days therefore there wouldn't be an option to work 5 days??

As the parent of a child under 6 you can apply to reduce your hours. Is this what you are planning on doing (if so you don't have to do this upon your return from ML - you can make one application in a 12 month period) or are you moving to a new job with less hours as soon as you return?

I returned from ML end of May 08 with 44 days leave to use before end of this year. I negociated a 4 day week and then have taken one day leave a week (so working a 3 day week since I returned but getting paid for 4 days).

Legal minimum applies for me. Yes, FWA is pending.

My job = a brand new role at my level and what I can do of it in 3 or 4 days a week for the same company. Would have no trouble fulfilling 5 days a week, it just wouldn't fit with childcare arrangements.

It would be up to your employer enraha. In terms of when a flexible working application begins, you would specify in your request when you want the part time hours to start, so obviously you'd normally make sure it starts on your first day back so that you continue to accrue holiday at your full time rate throughout your maternity leave. But there's nothing stopping you asking for the new hours to start later if you want to.

The problem comes when you want to come back to a new, 3 or 4 day a week role full time for a few weeks but take holiday every week to reduce your hours back down. Obviously you have the holiday to take, but there's no obligation on your employer to let you take it when you want to. Ask them. If it means less disruption for them in terms of you having to take chunks of holiday, they might go for it.