Maternity Leave

[Beechy101]

A friend of mine who's maternity leave is coming to and end is having a dispute with her work.

She works for a nationwide company & before she was on maternity she was working full time. When she returns she wants to work part time (2 set days per week).

She doesn't drive so a local workplace is ideal.

She was originally told by her area manager that unless she came back to work on 3 days per week, she would be put a less local workplace.

She wasn't happy & said that wasn't an option & has now been told that she has to explain in writing why she can't come back full time & why she can only do certain days.

Does this seem like normal practice cos to me it looks like they're making things as awkward as possible for her.

[redcrx]

sounds normal to me. The only obligation the employer has is to properly consider the request. You friend is not entitled to go back to anything other than her original contract.

[chelle7272]

http://www.direct.gov...rnityrights/DG_065153

http://www.businessli...r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES

Some good info in the links. If she is entitled to flexible working the emnployer still has the right to refuse if they have good reason.

[R1Geezer]

Frankly I'm surprised they are having her back at all. They have to keep the job open, the job was a full time job, not a part time one. Essentially she is asking for a different job to the one she had already, they are well within their rights to allocate terms as they are already being accomodating.

[evil__sheep]

it's completely normal. She can request a change but they don't have to grant it.

[craft1948]

I remember when the employee had to accommodate the employer....when did it change?

[Woteap]

Sorry have to agree with others. If she is returning within ordinary mat leave she is entitled to her old job back, if returning after additional mat leave the firm is only obliged to offer an equivalent job with same terms/pay. If she wants to change her working hours she should submit a wriiten request, the firm is only obligated to seriously consider the request and provide reasons if declining it.