Survey highlights flexibility penalty for mums
Despite the post-Covid move to more flexible working, many mums are struggling to get the...read more
I am due to be back to work after 12 month maternity leave. On my return I have requested to work from home and to be working three days for the period of five months and ramp up to be full time again. There was no maternity cover in place for my post. I believe this is due to re-structure that has taken place whilst I was on maternity leave whereby other people have taken on my responsibilities in two new departments. Prior to my maternity leave I requested to work from home which was granted for the two months before my maternity leave. In my flexible working meeting, it was implied that working from home will be difficult, but I was encouraged to write a letter. I mentioned that there is another person in the company, a man, with the same job title who is based from home and his work never suffers. I was then told this is an exceptional and historic contract that would never be granted currently. The company is undergoing a lot of changes currently and I am aware that my responsibilities have been outsourced to new employees outside of my current department. My worry is that they will refuse flexible working request, forcing me to resign. Can they do this?
You should put in the formal flexible working request citing the direct male comparator who works from home. Further you can add in that she was a homeworker prior to going on maternity leave. Under her planned flexible working request you are only proposing a reduction in hours for a period of five months and then to return to five days per week once the five-month period has elapsed. It is this five-month period which could prove difficult as the employer is letting you come back to your existing role on your existing terms (i.e. five days per week full time).
If your employer has a sound business reason that your role must be carried out full time then you may have difficulty persuading your employer otherwise. From your statements it appears, however, that a new department was formed with individuals employed to do what you used to do prior to going on maternity leave. Perhaps you could suggest a job share for a five-month period.