flexible working and work issues - advice needed please

LISAMJS

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Hi I would like some advice please.



I am due back to work the end of March. I gave in my flexible working form in April last year. In october I got a letter from work (HR) saying they will agree to me doing 20 hours a week and to phone them to arrange a meeting. When I phoned the lady I spoke to she didn't think i was back till June. I corrected her and told her I am infact due back in March. I also asked for a meeting on 06th Jan to sort things out. She said she would speak to my boss and make sure this date is okay then get back to me. Bearing in mind this conversation happened in October I wrote a letter in December asking for confirmation of the meeting I also told them that I am putting DS into nursery on Mondays and Fridays and advised them that I had to book a place as nursery were telling me I would not get one otherwise.
I still have not heard anything back from them, this date has now been and gone. Any advice please? I know they were meant to have a meeting with me 28 days from when I wrote the letter - May last year!!! I think to myself why should I contact them - they are the ones who should be contacting me.

Also I have never had any letter from them to say when I am due back I am only going on dates that I have worked out myself. They have not kept me updated of any work developments like they are meant to.

My work has a number of standard operating procedures that they have not stuck to during my pregnancy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Lisa
x
 
I'm sorry I don't know.. I'm going through alot of issues with work myself..

I hope you get the advice you're looking for.

xxx :hug:
 
What numpties, they've totally screwed up :roll: sounds a pretty similar situation to what happened to me - my work actually refused my flexible working but because they screwed up so much I told them I'd take them to a tribunal so they quickly changed their mind :) :roll:

Are you a member of a union? If so firstly contact your rep and keep them updated whats happening..... hope you are.....

Write to HR and put all of these issues in writing, include details about them not returning calls, or responding to your requests in writing as should be followed. Even if you aren't a member of a union have a look here http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=287
to what should have happened. These are employment law guidelines so will apply whatever. This is the bit that will apply to you most at the moment

"It should be noted that an employee can submit a claim to an employment tribunal under the Flexible Working Regulations on two grounds only, that the employer:
Gave incorrect facts as grounds for refusal.
The employer did not apply the correct procedure."

I would include in the letter that due to them not contacting you, you have had to go ahead and book a nursery place for X days and that you expect them to agree to these hours. State you expect a reply within say 14 days.

I suppose you are lucky that you have in writing your flexible working has already been agreed and its a matter of sorting out the hours.

Good luck :D
 
thanks for the advice they have had more than enough time to sort things out. I had to ask for a risk assessment too when I told them that I was pregnant. I got one after about 4 weeks of asking. I also have not heard from them at all to see if I am okay which is the least you would expect. We have a union which is rubbish unfortunately.
My work have no idea at al what they are doing.
 
I wouldn't expect an employer to call to see how you are or to keep you updated of work developments. You are on leave and they are not supposed to contact you - I think that is set out in law. I have 2 lovely employers and neither called me.

You definately have to persue them about the flexible working as they should have responded but you shouldn't bring up the lack of other contact.
 
kalia said:
I wouldn't expect an employer to call to see how you are or to keep you updated of work developments. You are on leave and they are not supposed to contact you - I think that is set out in law. I have 2 lovely employers and neither called me.

But you should look at your own companies maternity provisions, mine offer something they call 'keeping in touch days' where I can attend work and get full pay for up to 10 days whilst on maternity leave. It is for things such as attending interviews for any internal vacancies which arise, attending meetings about details of significant developments to working practices or to attend any training courses offered to colleagues.
They can't be forced upon me, nor do I have to have any contact if I want BUT I would initially want to know in writing about any of these so I could make a decision and I have informed my HR of this.

What I'm trying to say is that this can also work in your benefit, if I'm on maternity and not kept informed of any of the above I would kick up such a stink. The truth is I don't intend to keep in touch at all whilst on maternity and tbh want to have a year switched off BUT I know how incompetent my HR and work are, they WILL screw up and not keep me informed so it gives me the edge if when I go back to work they try and screw me over (like they did last time) - does that make sense?? :think:

Check your companies maternity guidelines hun, :D
 
yes that makes sense. My work offer the keep in touch days too (not that I want them) I guess I am just going to have to get loads of amunition against them. You would never believe it is a police force I work for would you!!!
I have a long list of things that they were meant to do but didn't. I will write them a letter this week. The last thing that you need when trying to enjoy your mat leave is a silly employer! x
 
kalia said:
I wouldn't expect an employer to call to see how you are or to keep you updated of work developments. You are on leave and they are not supposed to contact you - I think that is set out in law. I have 2 lovely employers and neither called me.

You definately have to persue them about the flexible working as they should have responded but you shouldn't bring up the lack of other contact.

Sorry Kalia but an employer does have the right to keep in 'reasonable' contact with ANY employee whilst on Maternity leave (and sick leave)

Keeping in touch
During your leave it is often helpful to keep in touch with your employer. Your employer is entitled to make reasonable contact with you during maternity leave. This might be to discuss such things as arrangements for your return to work or to update you on any significant changes in the workplace while you've been away, including any opportunities for promotion or job vacancies.

Your maternity leave and pay will normally come to an end when you return to work. However, you are entitled to do up to 10 days work during your maternity leave without losing statutory maternity pay, or maternity allowance if you are getting this instead, or bringing your leave to an end.

These 'keeping in touch days' may only be worked if both you and your employer agree. You cannot work during compulsory maternity leave ie two weeks immediately after you child is born. Although particularly useful for things such as training or team events, keeping in touch days may be used for any form of work and should make it easier to return to work after your leave. You will need to agree with your employer what work is to be done on keeping in touch days and how much pay you will receive.


I agree with Fluffybunny and would write a letter to your manager and HR department stating that you put in the request on such and such a date, you have requested a meeting on such a such date and as you have had no response you have had to book your nursery places, you will be returning to work on ...... and will be working the following hours.

your employers should have given you notification in writing of the end of your maternity leave BEFORE you even went on materniy leave.

If your Union reps are no good then go to the head office of your union and ask to speak to someone who is knowledgable about these issues or contact ACAS.
 

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