returning from maturnity

[Pete Franklin]

Hi all

Im after some advise. My wife is returning to work after her second (and hopefully Last) maturnity period. Her current working hours are 7.30 to 15.30 (contracted 7hrs per day). She would like to go back part time but the management have said she cannot keep the same hours. Her current hours are beneficial both financially for child care and in terms of Parent child contact. There are no instances recorded of the previous hours being problematic, it appears to be a change in policy and aversion to set presedence brought on by new management. We are currently reading through the employment law.

Frankly as someone who has flexible working which significantly benefits my employer and myself it really annoys me that some employers are so backward thinking

Does anyone have any knowledge/ experience that may be able to help?

Thanks pete

[anonymous-user]

When you say she would like to go back part time - do you mean she would like to return on the same hours she was working before she went on maternity leave?
ie 7.30 to 3.30

[Pete Franklin]

Yes but 3 days a week Instead of 5

[anonymous-user]

Pete Franklin said:

Yes but 3 days a week

Ok so the same hours, but three day instead of 5?

If that's the case - the employer has to consider the request and provide a valid reason as to why they cannot agree, but they are not compelled to change the working hours.

[Pete Franklin]

desolate said:

Ok so the same hours, but three day instead of 5?

If that's the case - the employer has to consider the request and provide a valid reason as to why they cannot agree, but they are not compelled to change the working hours.

Yes 3 instead of 5. Thanks for that. They are stating a reason that it is outside core hours, as it was previously. On this basis in my opinion it is not a valid reason.

[bga]

Pete Franklin said:

Yes 3 instead of 5. Thanks for that. They are stating a reason that it is outside core hours, as it was previously. On this basis in my opinion it is not a valid reason.

The employer could well argue that having fewer days in the office means that it is more important that your wife is there during the core working hours.
Good luck sorting out something mutually convenient.