Work! What to do after baby arrives!

Beee · Apr 6th, 2012, 13:35 PM

I work for the NHS which is supposedly a flexible, child friendly organisation. Well at a meeting with my boss last week about maternity leave/dates etc, I was told I can either go back full time or part time- as in full time hours or half time, no in between! I really wanted to just drop 1 day a week as we can't afford for me to halve my hours, but it looks like I'll be forced into going back full time

Not sure what to do!
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Jennbear · Apr 6th, 2012, 13:38 PM

So they won't allow you to do part time, I.e 3 or 4 days? That seems abit odd but not sure how the NHS works. Can you speak to your HR department for advice?

Beee · Apr 6th, 2012, 13:42 PM

No they wont. I work Mon-fri, so I was asking to do 4 days a week, no preference which days. They flat out said no, because they need to 'cover the service' and if they wanted to employ someone to take my hours they wouldn't be able to get someone for just 1 day a week.

xxxxxxx

Lisa40 · Apr 6th, 2012, 13:56 PM

That's rough on you but I do understand where they are coming from, I have worked in recruitment & trying to find someone to cover less than 16 hours is difficult. Is there anyone else within the department that would want to change / increase hours ie someone already doing half time that would take your 1 day??

Sorry you are having trouble

xxx

equikm · Apr 6th, 2012, 14:01 PM

I work for NHS and I would be calling my union in to speak to them. I can see why it would be hard to cover one day but it's not really your problem. I hope that I can reduce from 37.5 to between 22.5 - 30 hours which others have done in my workplace they actually work 4 days one week and 3 the next. I would seek outside help as I think they should be more accommodating. Good luck x

Beee · Apr 6th, 2012, 14:35 PM

The thing is, I co-lead a team with another full time person, and I have been doing the job by myself whilst she was on mat leave herself. I'm sure the team would be absolutely fine if I was only there 4 days a week as there is another team leader there anyway. Its annoying.
I'll try and speak to someone next week for advice
xxxxxxxxxxx

Jennbear · Apr 6th, 2012, 14:35 PM

Hrm, that does seem rough but I know that most organisations have a policy that part time is available is it suit business needs so I can see their side, I certainly don't agree with it though as there should be an element of compromise or review of the role. I think the suggestion of seeing if there's an existing employee who would be able to cover and also speak to ACAS for some independent advice. This should be a negotiating process not them just flat out saying no and not prepared to look at alternative suggestions. Good luck x

Lisa40 · Apr 6th, 2012, 14:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beee

The thing is, I co-lead a team with another full time person, and I have been doing the job by myself whilst she was on mat leave herself. I'm sure the team would be absolutely fine if I was only there 4 days a week as there is another team leader there anyway. Its annoying.
I'll try and speak to someone next week for advice
xxxxxxxxxxx

In that case then I think you would have a good chance of appealing their decision. I'd gather together all the evidence & maybe present it in a way that shows it'll be good for the business... ie you could develop one of the existing team members to stand in permanently for one day a week so that when one of you is on holiday / mat leave again / or leaves then they would have somebody there ready to step in so that business isn't affected & they don't have to train anyone new.

It'll also be positive for the department as the team will see that there are development opportunities which helps to create a happy and enthusiastic workforce...

Good luck

xx

Irish Eyes · Apr 6th, 2012, 18:01 PM

I'll probably be hated for saying this but I agree with your work. The NHS Maternity packet is amazing compared to what most (including me) will get. You're being offered full or part time hours which again is something that's not available to many. It's not realistic for them to get someone for one day a week just because it suits your needs better, companies including the NHS still have a business to run and if they allowed every woman with kids to choose what hours they wanted to work then not many would be successful & probably wouldn't want to employ women of a certain age.

I hope that didn't come across as harsh & that you find a suitable outcome, this is solely just my opinion xx

Apr 6th, 2012, 13:35 PM	#1
Beee Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,005	Work! What to do after baby arrives! I work for the NHS which is supposedly a flexible, child friendly organisation. Well at a meeting with my boss last week about maternity leave/dates etc, I was told I can either go back full time or part time- as in full time hours or half time, no in between! I really wanted to just drop 1 day a week as we can't afford for me to halve my hours, but it looks like I'll be forced into going back full time Not sure what to do! xxxxxxxx

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Apr 6th, 2012, 13:38 PM	#2
Jennbear Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,234	So they won't allow you to do part time, I.e 3 or 4 days? That seems abit odd but not sure how the NHS works. Can you speak to your HR department for advice?

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Apr 6th, 2012, 13:42 PM	#3
Beee Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,005	No they wont. I work Mon-fri, so I was asking to do 4 days a week, no preference which days. They flat out said no, because they need to 'cover the service' and if they wanted to employ someone to take my hours they wouldn't be able to get someone for just 1 day a week. xxxxxxx

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Apr 6th, 2012, 13:56 PM	#4
Lisa40 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Merseyside Posts: 2,307	That's rough on you but I do understand where they are coming from, I have worked in recruitment & trying to find someone to cover less than 16 hours is difficult. Is there anyone else within the department that would want to change / increase hours ie someone already doing half time that would take your 1 day?? Sorry you are having trouble xxx

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2012, 14:01 PM	#5
equikm Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Glasgow Posts: 892	I work for NHS and I would be calling my union in to speak to them. I can see why it would be hard to cover one day but it's not really your problem. I hope that I can reduce from 37.5 to between 22.5 - 30 hours which others have done in my workplace they actually work 4 days one week and 3 the next. I would seek outside help as I think they should be more accommodating. Good luck x

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2012, 14:35 PM	#6
Beee Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,005	The thing is, I co-lead a team with another full time person, and I have been doing the job by myself whilst she was on mat leave herself. I'm sure the team would be absolutely fine if I was only there 4 days a week as there is another team leader there anyway. Its annoying. I'll try and speak to someone next week for advice xxxxxxxxxxx

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2012, 18:01 PM	#9
Irish Eyes Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,643	I'll probably be hated for saying this but I agree with your work. The NHS Maternity packet is amazing compared to what most (including me) will get. You're being offered full or part time hours which again is something that's not available to many. It's not realistic for them to get someone for one day a week just because it suits your needs better, companies including the NHS still have a business to run and if they allowed every woman with kids to choose what hours they wanted to work then not many would be successful & probably wouldn't want to employ women of a certain age. I hope that didn't come across as harsh & that you find a suitable outcome, this is solely just my opinion xx

Status: Offline

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