I agreed verbally with work last July that I could return to work part time from home. I went on maternity leave mid-Sept 2008 (DC born Nov 08) planning to return mid-July 2009 when my statutory mat pay ceased. A fortnight before I was due to return, I was called into work for a meeting with my boss (it?s a tiny company so no HR or anything) and she said that she was rescinding her offer to allow me to work part time from home as she didn?t think it would work. She also said she never seriously expected me to return to work after maternity leave (even though I always said I would). She said she had expected the girl covering my mat leave would continue in my place. I asked to work part time in the office instead of at home, and she said that even that would be difficult for her to accommodate. I was shocked and upset, but when we parted I said I would think up a compromise and she indicated she would do the same.
On 4th July, three days later, I sent her a summary of our meeting, together with a proposal for how things would work if I was part time in the office. (The girl covering my mat leave only does four days instead of five anyway, so if she would drop to three I could do two, which would be fine). I reluctantly decided and indeed felt forced to take three months Additional Maternity Leave which, as you know, is unpaid, meaning I would return week beginning 14 Sept.
On 7th July my boss emailed to say she needed to think about it all and could we discuss it after a hol I was about to go on. She?d be in touch, she said. (I returned on 18 July).
On 20th July, she emailed to say a close relative was poorly so she couldn?t address her mind to things and would contact me soon.
On 3rd August, another email saying she?d be in touch ?soon?.
On 13th August, after a chasing email from me, she said she would come back to me with a counterproposal by 17th August at the latest.
On 18th August, she said she would come back to me with a proposal ?as soon as she could?.
On Mon 24th August, she emailed to say that she wanted another meeting. I replied to say that I didn?t really want another meeting, as last time she pulled the effectively pulled the rug from beneath my feet with no warning (obviously I put it in a more tactful way) and suggested email was more straightforward, or even the phone. I was not being obstructive, but a trip to London takes a full day and costs £27.50 trainfare and I just felt that all of our contact could be undertaken on the phone or by email. Moreover, given that she was not due to be in London until the week beginning 31 Aug I was aware that this would create yet more delay if I waited to see her face to face. I reminded her that if my suggestions of 4th July weren?t suitable, I?d be delighted for her to come up with a different suggestion or even a range of suggestions to discuss. I asked her to come back to me that same day. She hasn?t replied?.
I can buy myself a bit more time by taking a month of annual leave from 14 Sept (when I am supposed to return) as my holiday runs January to December and has been accumulating whilst I have been on leave (I doubt my boss realises this) but that will only take me up to mid-Oct.
Obviously I feel like telling them to get lost but I need this job and having worked for them for 12 years, I know perfectly well that my working part time would not be unfeasible.
I am at my wits end. Any ideas what my next move should be?
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Work being obstructive about me returning after mat leave - desperate!
39 replies
LadyThompson · 27/08/2009 10:09
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