Flexible working for new mums

Returning to work after having a child can be daunting for new mothers, who might be worried about balancing their career with childcare responsibilities.

It’s your employer’s duty to make your return to work as smooth as possible and, if necessary, offer you working arrangements that fit your needs – such as flexible working.

What is flexible working?

Flexible working allows you to alter your working hours around your requirements.This is particularly useful for parents, as you can adapt your working hours to suit your family commitments.

By law, all employees who have at least 26 weeks of service with their employer and haven’t already made a similar request in the last 12 months can ask for flexible working arrangements, including:

• Changing working hours from full-time to part-time
• Adapting working hours so that they fit in with school/college hours or care arrangements – this can include asking for flexitime
• Job sharing
• Working from home
• Employers are legally obligated to consider these requests in a reasonable manner before making a decision.

Download our guide for working mums here

How will flexible working benefit you?

• Aside from fitting around your life outside of work, flexible working:
• Allows you to maintain and develop your career
• Adapts your working hours to both your needs and those of your child
• Reduces your levels of stress, and any concerns you might have about caring for your child whilst working

How will flexible working benefit my employer?

In a society where individuals have multiple commitments inside and outside of work, it’s become necessary for employers to adapt their practices to the needs of their staff. Offering flexible working makes good business sense as it:

• Increases companies’ staff retention rate – saving them the cost and time associated with recruiting and training new staff
• Increases productivity and morale – if you feel settled and secure in your role, you’ll be much more motivated
• Decreases the number of staff absences, which ultimately cuts down on the organisation’s costs

For more information on how to request flexible working hours and what to do if your request gets denied, download our full Guide for Working Mums here

Sometimes, employers can forget that new – and existing – mothers are an integral part of their workforce. At Simpson Millar, we fight for the rights of new mothers who have been denied flexible working requests due to unfair treatment or discrimination.

Your rights and your voice shouldn’t be ignored. Contact us today to discuss your options.

0800 206 1525

Alternatively you can request a call back

*Linda Stewart is Partner and Head of Employment Law at nationwide firm, Simpson Millar Solicitors. An accredited mediator, Linda has over 15 years’ experience specialising in Employment Law and is an expert in advising and representing women experiencing difficulties in the workplace.
Linda advises on all aspects of employment relationships, but specialises in gender discrimination; supporting working women to challenge pregnancy and maternity discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, unfair dismissal or redundancy, and equal pay issues.
Linda supports women to tackle these tricky situations; she understands the lasting effect pregnancy and maternity discrimination can have on a woman’s income and career development

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