I am currently on maternity leave taking the full year, 3 months of which will be unpaid. I have agreed with my manager my reduced hours and this is agreed in principle subject to another managers approval, however the email states they will contact me if there is a problem and welcoming me back on x date.
My partner made his flexible working application which was agreed in principle with his manager and HR to commence wef 01/09. However this was subject to another managers agreement. Two weeks before it comes into force, he is advised that he working from home is not a viable option after all but can reduce his hours. This is despite him working 10+ hrs regularly each week for no pay. They have now agreed to review the matter again and will discuss it again in 3 months time!
I subsequently returned to my employer to get clarity on my position and they have basically said that they can not agree anything until 6 weeks before I return to work. Obviously this makes childcare options very limiting as we simply don't know what we are doing...
Has anyone had a similar experience and can offer any advice on whether leaving it until 6 weeks before you return is normal?