Return to work/reducing hours

[LDC]

Hi ladies,

I'm not due back to work until late August but was hoping for some help/advice.

My working week is long (Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm), there's no chance of flexi time due to my job role and environment. I'd like to reduce my hours down to 30 per week by not working Thursday and Friday and I'd like to contact my boss soon so steps can be made and they have plenty of time.

I was only in the job a few months though before I went on maternity (I get MA not SMP) and I feel rude asking to reduce but these are the only days where we can't get child care (MIL will have LO Monday-Wednesday).

Can anyone give me any hints on how to write to my boss to ask for this and also whether you think it's likely that this will be granted?

I've seen another job which is part time (28 hours), OH has told me to resign if they don't grant it but I enjoy the job

Thanks a lot

Xx

 

[Siuan]

My work place has a Flexible Working Policy including a form to fill out with your request. It might be worth asking your HR department if there is such a thing? That would give you a good starting point

Good luck!

 

[loves_cookies]

There is legislation regarding asking for a reduction in hours due to dependants needing care and a process needs to be followed. I've just made this exact request and I'm just waiting for works decision. I will dig out the link for you.

 

[LDC]

There is legislation regarding asking for a reduction in hours due to dependants needing care and a process needs to be followed. I've just made this exact request and I'm just waiting for works decision. I will dig out the link for you.

Thank you that would be a great help xx

 

[loves_cookies]

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview

Sorry in advance if it hasn't linked well, I'm on my phone!

 

[LDC]

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview

Sorry in advance if it hasn't linked well, I'm on my phone!

No it's perfect!

 

[Vicky1982]

Before I had my first I use to work long days mon to fri 830-430 with an hour drive each way, once I had out a request for 3 days this was granted, since having my 2nd we decided that even working 3 days on this hours would be hard work, which with hubby to be working away Monday to Friday, childcare and the cost of it, I sent another request that I dropped my hours to 9.30-3.30 which was granted. They have to have a really strong business reason as to say no. I put my request in really early as I couldn't sort childcare out until they had give me the go ahead. Now, I can enjoy the restof my maternity leave without having to think about work until the 28th may x x

 

[LDC]

Before I had my first I use to work long days mon to fri 830-430 with an hour drive each way, once I had out a request for 3 days this was granted, since having my 2nd we decided that even working 3 days on this hours would be hard work, which with hubby to be working away Monday to Friday, childcare and the cost of it, I sent another request that I dropped my hours to 9.30-3.30 which was granted. They have to have a really strong business reason as to say no. I put my request in really early as I couldn't sort childcare out until they had give me the go ahead. Now, I can enjoy the restof my maternity leave without having to think about work until the 28th may x x

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's really useful to hear.

I'm just worried that they'll think I'm cheeky because I've not worked there long

Xx

 

[Moodyblue85]

Before I had my first I use to work long days mon to fri 830-430 with an hour drive each way, once I had out a request for 3 days this was granted, since having my 2nd we decided that even working 3 days on this hours would be hard work, which with hubby to be working away Monday to Friday, childcare and the cost of it, I sent another request that I dropped my hours to 9.30-3.30 which was granted. They have to have a really strong business reason as to say no. I put my request in really early as I couldn't sort childcare out until they had give me the go ahead. Now, I can enjoy the restof my maternity leave without having to think about work until the 28th may x x

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's really useful to hear.

I'm just worried that they'll think I'm cheeky because I've not worked there long

Xx

I was only just in my role for 12 months before I went on ML and felt bad announcing my pregnancy after being there only about 6 months, but hey ho, that's how it goes and although I have a job that I love, I deffo was glad to be pregnant!

I am also going to ask for part time hours and at first felt bad about this...but at the end of the day, what is more important than our kids? I love my job and know I won't get anything like it again if I don't go back...but I am not willing to sacrifice time with my girl to work full time.

I will ask, but if they say no, they get my resignation. I will be nervous asking though, hehehe!!

Family comes first xxx

 

[LDC]

Before I had my first I use to work long days mon to fri 830-430 with an hour drive each way, once I had out a request for 3 days this was granted, since having my 2nd we decided that even working 3 days on this hours would be hard work, which with hubby to be working away Monday to Friday, childcare and the cost of it, I sent another request that I dropped my hours to 9.30-3.30 which was granted. They have to have a really strong business reason as to say no. I put my request in really early as I couldn't sort childcare out until they had give me the go ahead. Now, I can enjoy the restof my maternity leave without having to think about work until the 28th may x x

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's really useful to hear.

I'm just worried that they'll think I'm cheeky because I've not worked there long

Xx

C
I was only just in my role for 12 months before I went on ML and felt bad announcing my pregnancy after being there only about 6 months, but hey ho, that's how it goes and although I have a job that I love, I deffo was glad to be pregnant!

I am also going to ask for part time hours and at first felt bad about this...but at the end of the day, what is more important than our kids? I love my job and know I won't get anything like it again if I don't go back...but I am not willing to sacrifice time with my girl to work full time.

I will ask, but if they say no, they get my resignation. I will be nervous asking though, hehehe!!

Family comes first xxx

Definitely agreed and my main focus on doing it, I don't want to miss out xx

 

[Gc85]

As your employer for a copy of their flexible working policy, there will normally be a form that you fill in to state your request and your reasons why.

I've just requested to return to work 22.5 hours working 3 days a week, normally I would do 37.5hrs.

Like pp said your employer can only refuse if there is a genuine business reason to justify it not working. I sent in my request form and then we had a meeting where I explained in more detail my proposal and my ideas on how I thought I could make it work, my employer then wrote back to me with their decision, and luckily it was accepted!

Good luck with it x

 

[Vicky1982]

That's why I did main so early I was really stressing out about it, and panicking. Now I can sit back and relax knowing my days a shorter I'm sure u will be fine, I was dreading asking my work, in the end there was no need to get so stressed and worried about it.

Good luck, and let us know how u get in. X

 

[Gc85]

That's why I did main so early I was really stressing out about it, and panicking. Now I can sit back and relax knowing my days a shorter I'm sure u will be fine, I was dreading asking my work, in the end there was no need to get so stressed and worried about it.

Good luck, and let us know how u get in. X

I was in exactly the same situation and I actually went into my meeting with my resignation letter in hand cause I was convinced it was going to be a big fat NO, I was convinced the whole process was going to be hideous and end up with me having to leave on really bad terms. I was super stressed about it. Actually it turned out to be a very informal meeting where my boss basically said 'yep its fine can't see it being a problem' I literally almost fell off my chair!! Needless to say despite the fact that I had convinced myself I was never going back I am very happy and excited about returning to work in 5 weeks time for 3 days a week.

Just go into it with an open mind so long as you provide a strong case they're is no reason they can justify to say no. I wrote down all the possible implications on the team our ability to hit our targets etc and then under each my proposal on how any negative effects could be combatted, my boss was very impressed that I had thought about it so much and understood how to minimise the implications to the business

 

[maidelyn]

Sorry ladies but the employer can easily say no, they don't have to provide evidence or data to back up their reason for saying no the onus is on the employee to convince them. The larger the company the more likely the request will be granted as they'll have more resources, pressure from the hr department to to policies and family flexible policies. I'm not saying your request will be refused but be realistic - you need to convince them that your reduced hours will benefit them!

 

[scottiejunior]

Sorry ladies but the employer can easily say no, they don't have to provide evidence or data to back up their reason for saying no the onus is on the employee to convince them. The larger the company the more likely the request will be granted as they'll have more resources, pressure from the hr department to to policies and family flexible policies. I'm not saying your request will be refused but be realistic - you need to convince them that your reduced hours will benefit them!

This isn't exactly right- your employer would have to give you a valid reason to say no.
E.g. It will affect the business etc.

I'm a manager of a very large car manufacturer and I am good friends with the head of hr. I have spoken to her about my request (haven't actually put It in yet) and she told me to go to the regional manager with various options (not being fixed on days etc) and ways it could work. She advised that doing it this way increases my chances of the request being accepted.
In my situation it's more likely to be rejected as I run a department with 15 staff, my job is very demanding and specialised. I worry if it would even be possible myself to do part time but I'm going to try for it.

Here is a link to a website that gives a lot of useful info.
Good luck
https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/cfwh.pdf

 

[LDC]

Thanks again ladies, from what I've read elsewhere (thanks to the fab links) it seems that they have to have a sound business reason to say no. They've managed whilst I've been n maternity and didnt hire anyone else to cover me and they lasted on two staff members for 2 years before an extra 3 of us were hired. The email to my boss is going off today.,,ill keep you posted. Please keep your fingers crossed!

Xx

 

[Moodyblue85]

Good luck! Xx

 

[LDC]

Eeeeek it's sent! Scared now! How ridiculous!

Xx