Going Back to Work After Baby

It's not for a little while still but now that it's almost the new year, I think it's time I start thinking about the fact that I do actually, some day, have to return to work.

My little guy is 6 months and I will be going back when he is one.  I am pretty sure any request for part time will be shot down pretty quickly but I'd still like to ask just in case (and because I know I have every right to ask and they have to consider it).  But to be honest, I can't really afford not to work 40 hours a week so I was thinking of just asking for flexible working, e.i., instead of working 8-5, asking to work in the office 8-3 and then make up the final 2 hours in the evening.  We're all on blackberries and pretty mobile so I feel I would easily be able to work from home in the evenings.  Another woman in my team made a similar arrangement when she returned from maternity leave.

My question is though, what is the best way of making this request?  Should I write a letter or should I go in and speak to my manager?  Normally I would just go in and speak to my manager and follow it up with a letter but I have a new manager who joined the company while I have been on maternity leave so I don't him very well at all.

In my opinion, I'd personally put it in writing (and bring it with you) as well as go into work and have a meeting with your new manager.  I recommend the speaking to your new manager first, so that way writing a letter doesn't seem like a shock to them, as well as gets you acquainted with one another (if you didn't already know the person beforehand).  Try and get as much of this documented as possible, like getting a letter by post saying that you're having a meeting, any paperwork that your new manager has to file to HR...  This way you have documentation to prove you've been making an effort to stay in touch with work to work out a schedule that will suit you and the company.  This way you have proof if they prove to be inflexible and that you would need to resign that you did make every attempt to come to a suitable working arrangement and that it wasn't a fault on your own part...so in the event that you would want to be rehired there wouldn't really be an impediment on your record.  (I'm sorry if that was about as clear as muck.  )

I can't remember offhand, but I believe you can work up to 10 hours during your maternity leave so if there are any policy changes or anything else that you need or want to do to keep up to date you can use this to your advantage in trying to work out a flexible working pattern for yourself.

Good luck!

Find out if your company has some kind of formal process for you to request formal working hours. After having my meeting with HR yesterday I think that you can request flexible working hours, but if the job can't be done in the time requested, they can turn you down. However they can find you another job if one is available. You can do 10 keep in touch days (paid) over the time of your maternity leave.  Give it a go, but imo have several plans of action for making it work. Good luck!

There;s some info here on your legal right to request flexible working:

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1616

Thanks everyone.  I will definitely have a backup plan and I think you're right Teletabby.  I will go in and take the letter with me.

I am so nervous about this!