Flexible Working Request Meeting

[Jenylou1985]

Hi,

I'm hoping you may be able to help girls. Its a little long winded, but I'll try and keep it brief...

I am currently 19 weeks pregnant and informed work pretty early as I wanted to be super organised and also request flexible work (part of my week to be at home).

However in my meeting, Thursday just gone, I came away very angry upset and frustrated and not having a very good 'discussion' at all.

Without going into in all the ins and outs of it, it was implied that I wanted to come back to work too early (I want to come back after 4months), I was told bringing a child up is 'different and difficult', I was told that they don't doubt my commitment to my job, but were unsure if I could do my job and have a child.

Basically I came away from the meeting with little more knowledge about my flexible working request, but questioning my own ability to raise a family. Were they allowed to do this?

They also said that they don't think I should work up until my EDD. I said that aslong as I was fit and healthy and still capable of doing my job I can work up until the baby is due. They disagreed.

As a result of this initial grilling, I found it very difficult to compose myself for the rest of the meeting and it was a disastor.

I just want to know if you think that this was out of order?

Thanks for taking the time to look at this.
Jen

 

[Cham]

Well, I think the meeting was out of order as it didn't concenrate on the actual issue. However, they have raised some interesting points.

Firstly, although its great that you are being organised with your request, I don't think either you, or your employer should commit to a flexible working request so early - you don't know how you are going to feel nearer the time. I work in HR had I can't tell you the amount of times a woman has said she's coming back early and then changed her mind. You are entitled to 12 months off so they shouldn't expect you to come back sooner unless you give the appropriate notice, which is a minimum of 2 months.

You can work up until your EDD, however, if you have a pregnancy related illness in the 4 weeks before the baby is due, they can automatically start your maternity leave. This is your right, so don't let them push you around.

In terms of the working from home request. Who is going to look after your LO. Where I work, our policy states that working from home is not a substitute for childcare, therefore, if you are working from home, somebody needs look after your LO. Now, some organisations do allow you to look after your child as well as work, but I'm not sure how you would be able to do both at the same time. Did you actually discuss this with your employer?

The meeting should actually focus on the issues:
your flexible working requst - can they accommodate it or not? (put in a good strong case about how it will have a positive impact on your organisation - e.g. retain you etc)
starting your maternity leave - tell them that as long as you feel fit and healthy, you would like to continue working and see how you feel when you get into your last trimester (I'm 32 weeks and am feeling really tired, whereas I was fine at 19 weeks).

Good luck.

 

[Quartz]

Also remember that your EDD is just that the baby could come anytime in a month (there is a 3% chance that a baby will arrive on their EDD the same as any date two weeks before or after) and how would you feel if you went into labour at work. My friend who also wanted to work up to her EDD waters broke at work but she was local enough so it was not a problem.