Going back to work after maternity leave...

[xPinkAngelx]

Hi all

'Im not due back to work until Feb 2011 but would like to know infromation in advance to make my decision.
Before maternity leave i was working full time, but when i return to work i want to go part time so i do not miss out on son growing up ( i work in reatil so shifts are horrible and i wouldn't see him much on full time hours). What i would like to know is, do i have to give my employer a certain amount of notice before i return to work if i wish to change to part time? Also, do they need to be more flexible with me and the hours i can do?

Thanks for any advice. x

[NicM123]

Hi, i was in the same situation this time last year. I had to give 1 months notice of what i wanted to do before the end of my maternity leave. I applied for part time, but as i was a manager they declined it for fair enough reasons. Legally they can do this & they don't have to create a new position for you, only let you apply for any existing part time vacancies. In the end i moved jobs as i couldn't sacrifice raising my son for anything - especially retail! If you go for a new job try get 16hours plus, then you're entitled to apply for working family tax credits & also the government will pay up to 80% of childcare depending on your income. Good luck xx

[xPinkAngelx]

thanks. only a month, i thought it was more. that gives me time to decide exactly what i want to do. if they cant or wont give me part time hours then ill give in my notice and find work elsewhere, like you i wont sacrifice raising my son. can you work under 16 hours and still qualify for working family tax credits?

[boxtops]

PinkAngel, before you assume for definite that it's a month, you need to check with your employer - others may be different notice lengths. Your employer's HR people should havae told you this at the time you started your maternity leave, terms and conditions for return, etc. Do you work for a big company or a small retail outlet?

[NicM123]

Yea the notice periods might differ from company to company. You don't get working family tax if you work under 16 hours, or be able to apply for the childcare help. Most large companies have a scheme where you can buy child care vouchers tax free, so that would be good for you to look into if you start job hunting. I work 15hours a week so we only get a portion of child tax credits & child benefit, which everyones entitled to. xx

[xPinkAngelx]

thankyou. i'll start looking into it. wish i didn't have to go back to work at all. but unfortunately the bills wont pay themmselves! x

[laurenbru1]

i have been back to work for 6 months now after maternity leave. Before i went back i asked if a could go back for 2 days and that was agreed. I have now realised financialy i cant do just these days i need more. I have asked the manager if i can have more hours and they cannot accomodate me.Another person who is on maternty leave at present will be coming back soon on the same job is working 3 days. Is this right.