I need advice! (NHS nurse)

[you]

Can anyone tell me how flexible my work have to be regarding shift work when I return from mat leave? (Back in April)

My DH is currently doing shift care work also (3 night shifts atm, he worked very hard to be given set shifts which he now has as Sun/Mon/Tue night) we have no family around us and no other childcare option and need to split the care between us. I'm going back to work 2 shifts/ week but obv can't work the same shifts he is on or the days after (apart from maybe the Wed day)

Our unit has self rostering in theory and I visited my manager a few weeks ago and explained the situation, and she was very vague other than saying I should be given requested shifts the first 4 weeks I'm back. After that no-one can guaruntee anything.

Well, the offduty's just come out and my shifts are all over the place clashing with his, including the first 4 weeks. I really don't know what to do and I'm panicking big time. Talking to my immediate manager isn't really an option at the moment for various reasons, but I'd like to know where I stand before I take it further. TIA

Your employer has a legal obligation to consider any requests for flexible working so you need to discuss this with your HR dept as soon as possible. The get out clause for them is that it obviously has to be realistic to how your dept works.

I'm an NHS nurse who is due to go back 2 days a week next month, my DH is a nurse and will be doing 3 shifts a week, and I plan to request opposite to him to cover childcare between us. I spoke to my manager well in advance and filled in a flexible working policy document, highlighting the need for flexible working and how I planned to work. If you think you aren't going to be supported in your requests, speak to the HR dept who should be able to guide you through filling in the forms.
Is it your manager who does the rota? On my ward someone else does it and I have just told her what 4 days a week I can work and to put me in for any 2 shifts a week.
I would also go back and speak to your manager to highlight your concerns, especially about the first 4 weeks that hasn't been honoured, and you have concerns re future requests. Perhaps also reiterate that you plan to be as flexible as possible but that you want to be able to manage your childcare with as little stress as possible.
Are you supernumery at all when you go back? If so, then perhaps you could rearrange those days at least?
HTH Good luck!

I think you should be able to get fixed shifts, I've seen it done on loads of wards and it's even easier in clinics. I would go back and discuss again, maybe write a little plan of how it could look. Your manager sounds a bit inflexible tbh, but she can always get help with this from her matron. You're hardly the first nurse to have childcare commitments.