return to work letter + BF (update- heads reply)

[charlieann]

Not sure if im posting this in the right place but i need a bit of help with my return to work letter. I've tried googling a template letter but can not find anything.
I want to say i'll return for sept term if they arrange facilities to express else i'll take longer off, without it sounding too pushy and like an ultimatum. I've already discussed expressing in school with resources officer and reply from her meeting with head was it would be unlikely as they are pushed for space (they currently building 6th form block and said would be fine when thats finished but wont be done in time).
This is what ive got so far, any suggestions on improvements would be appreciated:

Dear Mr Headteacher,

I would like to return to work full time as of 21st July 2009. I intend to continue to breastfeed until my son is 6 months. I would like to have a meeting with you before my return date to discuss the possibility of expressing for the first half of the autumn term. Should this not be feasible I would like to continue my maternity leave.

Yours Sincerely,

 

[Jkelmum]

that sounds ok hun ....this way they know how u feel and will be able to tell u if u can do it xxx

 

[Mervs Mum]

They HAVE to provide you with somewhere to pump - I've looked into it.

I work in a school too and I'm lucky that my boss is really good. I went in to help for a day when OFSTED were in and he found me an empty office and went in there and covered the windows and door glass with paper so no one could see in! They are not obliged to give you paid breaks to pump in but they are obliged to provide you with somewhere to pump (not a toilet) and a fridge to store milk.

 

[alice&bump]

what lisa said!! i was wondering about this cos i was planning on still BF when i went back. wasnt too sure about leaving milk in a fridge in tesco mind!! some right scrotey people work there!!

 

[charlieann]

They HAVE to provide you with somewhere to pump - I've looked into it.

From what i've read they are not obliged to accomedate request to express, although i could persue sex discrimination route if they refuse. if they do agree then theres certain criteria they have to fufill on h&s grounds, i.e. clean private room, fridge facilities, extra respite time.
I'm not holding out hope of head being supportive as he wasnt accomedating when i was pregnant (had to get doc sign me off 2 days per week due to fatigue and head ignoring my requests for support on busy days)

 

[Mervs Mum]

The law in United Kingdom does not offer paid breastfeeding breaks or shorter working hours for breastfeeding mothers but some legal protection is offered in the UK for all breastfeeding mothers. This broadly includes:

• flexible working conditions
• facilities for rest
• protection from harmful substances while at work

This is a useful link too:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Breastfeeding and Returning to Work.pdf

 

[happy&healthy]

I am back at work part time. I didn't even ask for permission...just put my pump in the extra office space--closed the blinds,locked the door during lunch to pump.

 

[Mervs Mum]

That's great H&H! Unfortunately it's not quite as easy in a school full of teenagers and where you might not have your own office with a door you can lock and where lunchtime is when everyone comes asking you for stuff.....

 

[happy&healthy]

That's great H&H! Unfortunately it's not quite as easy in a school full of teenagers and where you might not have your own office with a door you can lock and where lunchtime is when everyone comes asking you for stuff.....

True...Hope they have a nice space for you.

 

[charlieann]

Thought i'd update here rather than new thread.

The response i got from head today. 'thanks for your letter, contact personel officer on this number to discuss your requests'
thats who i contacted in first place and suggested i put it in writing to head as he had to respond then. looks like the answer is going to be the cant provide me anywhere to express due to the lack of clean, private rooms and the head is too spineless to have a meeting with me and tell me himself.
since waiting so long for a response ive come round to preferring 6 months off rather than 3, although its gonna be more dificult for me to establish relationships with my new classes (and im the only one who teaches my subject at gcse, and who's been working on new specifications). gl to the head finding someone qualified enough to cover them!
i've lost a lot of respect for my boss, who was very vacent with staff before.

im still building up a stash of milk in the freezer just in case.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Sorry you're not getting anywhere hun. I'm lucky that my LO has naturally dropped her day time BFs now so I'm not even going to need to pump, even though the said they would make sure I had somewhere.

Enjoy your time off. I know it's hard to but you have to think of it this way - YOUR children come before the ones you teach.

 

[Sweetpea7830]

I am having this issue too - it's the pits, no?