I am going back to work next month after maternity leave to a different role due to a re-organisation. My main concern is that I've had reduced hours agreed by my new manager but I have a feeling that the role will warrant more than the 30 hours agreed. The level which I'm at states that I should be able to work additional hours as part of my role. The whole point of me reducing my hours is to have a better work life balance. Where do I stand i.e. what number of hours would be acceptable on a 30 hour week? View full answer >

I’ve been employed as a nursery nurse for 14 years and have two small children aged five and two. Currently I work 16 hours a week (Thurs & Fri). My employer has asked me to work five days a week to which I said yes but only nine-two pm (this is to fit in with taking my older child to school and picking him up). I was waiting for this to be finalised and have just been advised that they now can’t offer me these hours and have said they can only offer me eight-two or three-six - obviously I can't commit to these hours due to taking/collecting my son from school so have told them no. I am concerned that they are making it awkward for me and are trying to push me to leave. Can they do this? If they advise me that they can’t offer me anything else other than the above and ask me to leave - do they by law have to offer me redundancy? View full answer >

I have worked for a car hire company for the last two and a half years. In December 2009 I had my baby and I'm planning on returning to work at the end of August (w/c -31st). I've had a meeting and given a letter asking to go part time, instead of full time. However I have recieved a letter back saying I have to have another meeting to explain why I am needing to work part time, to demonstrate why no one can look after my child whilst I'm at work, etc. Before having my son I worked six days a week for nine hours a day, I'm not a manager and no one else did this so I don't understand why they won't allow it, and whilst I have been on maternity leave they have hired three new part time members of staff. Where do I stand? And what is the procedure? As they have told me to take a union rep with me to the next meeting. View full answer >