Anyone been refused their flexible working hours request?

[Celesse]

I went back 5 mornings a week (my choice as DD was still BF and a full day would have been too long for her as I'm reliant on public transport). Work got a good deal out of it as they could basically give me a much higher work load than someone working the same number of hours power fewer days.

Are you work perhaps trying to cost cut and not employ someone in the other half of your job, thereby maximising the work they get out of you?

 

[Piggywinkle]

Rachy...that's awful, I'm shocked people are actually getting away with treating people this way. Piggywinkle....I'm so scared now don't know what I'm going to do! How does it work paying mat leave back?

Your SMP is fine so don't worry about that. However, my company offered extra maternity pay on the condition that I return for 12 weeks (which was the original plan). Now I've handed in my notice as I couldn't come back full time like they wanted, they've said that any monies owing to me for any holidays etc. will be taken back by them and I'll be invoiced for the rest. They're ready to accept instalments but little do they know that I can't afford to pay anything significant back. I've spoken to the CCCS and they advised me to write in and offer a token payment of £1.00 per month. Can't see that they're gonna be happy with it, but they'll have to accept it until I've got some money coming in.

That's the same as me, it would be a few thousand pounds to pay back. So it doesn't have to be a lump sum then? Who's the CCCS?

I'm not sure how it works from company to company to be honest, but I'd imagine it'd be in their best interests to accept an offer of instalments as at least they'd be getting something. The CCCS are the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. They're an independent and free to use debt advice service. Hope this helps

 

[pinkbumpnov]

What would have happened if stepping down wasn't an option? Would it be a case of like it or lump it?

Could it be constructive dismissal if they are offering you work they know is unrealistic/harder for you to get the childcare for?

What is constructive dismissal? I've never heard of that

look at this hun
https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/redundancyandleavingyourjob/dismissal/dg_10026696
x

 

[Pandora83]

I went back 5 mornings a week (my choice as DD was still BF and a full day would have been too long for her as I'm reliant on public transport). Work got a good deal out of it as they could basically give me a much higher work load than someone working the same number of hours power fewer days.

Are you work perhaps trying to cost cut and not employ someone in the other half of your job, thereby maximising the work they get out of you?

I think this is exactly what they are doing! Cutting costs is always number one priority!

Thank you for your replies/advice everyone, that's really helpful x

 

[george83]

i haven't been refused it technically but i work in a school and my head teacher said i could do 3 days until the summer holidays and then she'd discuss my contract for september in line with everybody else's in a couple of months which i was really pleased about. I've now been told that due to the budget i have to accept 2 days or if i want to fight it i know they will turn around and say i have to return on my original contract which is full time which i now don't have child care for. To be honest the whole thing has completely stressed me out and ruined what should be the end of my maternity leave. I'm not the sort of person who would bring in unions etc - i dont mean this in a petty way - but i'd rather just look for a new job which i know i'm lucky given my career choice. I just really wish employers would be more understanding when it comes to this type of thing, why drag somebody back doing more hours than they want just for the sake of it - are you really going to give that job your all when you'd rather be at home with your child more, they're shooting themselves in the foot in my opinion.

You're absolutely right, they are stupid. If they force me into iritis hardly like I'm going to go out of my way to work hard for them and as soon as I've done my 3 months I'll be out of there!! It's ruining the last part of my mat leave too, it's so stressful ��

i had a massive breakdown with my husband about it all one night and literally just sat crying for a couple of hours saying how much i hated the thought of going back to work any way and now they've made it even more difficult i was even more upset about it and after i'd got it all out i just decided that it was it and tried to draw a line under it. I refuse to let them ruin the last time few days at home with my son thinking about their stupid attitude. I know it's hard and obviously if your going to fight it you need to think about it but other wise i'd just forget about and think about all the precious time you have left at home with your little one

 

[Pandora83]

George83...this is exactly how I feel too. It's just horrible. You're right though I will try not to let it ruin this special time or I'll always regret it. Thanks again for your support x