On maternity leave, due to return in 2.5 weeks. Had letter from personnel asking me to phone to arrange a meeting. Do I have to?

[imoscarsmum]

There have been some changes to my team structure and they have written to give me an overview of them and asked me to call my team leader to discuss them. I am not worried about these changes, just think they are obliged to inform me.
but given i am back to work in 2.5 weeks (FFS) and just want to spend all the time with DD, plus she has settling in visits at nursery, can they force me to call or can I email and tell em to get lost till I'm back?

TBH i'm not sure but I seem to remeber something about 'keeping in touch' days

in reality how lond would this call take?

If it's a simple 1/2 hour job then tbh i'd call just to keep the peace. If it starts getting a bit too indepth or long you can remind them you are still on ML and you'll discuss it further with them when back at work.

doh! Long not lond
shakes head at self must proof read

Not sure what to say,really.Depends on the org and stuff.I recently took a years career break due to family ill health and knew there were lots of changes and felt I was professionally way otu of the loop.I went and did a couple of study days that were needed for me to be proficient prior to return (Lots of new stuff to know etc) and am glad I did,because on 3rd day back I had to put out a "crash call" out on a patient so was really glad I had updated my resus stuff and so on,even though work are easing me back in gently.I guess it depends on your job and the level of responsibility and so on.Maybe they just want to let you know any changes so it won't be so daunting?

No, you don't have to do a call or meeting. However, I think that they are perfectly reasonable in contacting you. Search through the archives and you will see many more complaints when people HAVEN'T been contacted in this situation.

If you are back in a couple of weeks anyway, and don't want to deal with it yet, just contact them and politely explain that. I know you didn't ask, but to be honest I think you are over reacting a bit. Going back to work can be a really stressful time and sometimes you don't see the wood for the trees.

They are trying to do the right thing. If you are happy with the changes and don't feel the need to discuss them at all, then I guess you could email to that effect. But really, is a 10-15 min chat with your boss to say yes you understand the changes and no you have no questions about them such a problem?