Flexi Working Arrangements (Yeah right!)

Hi ladies

So i was due to go back to work in 2 weeks. I had always said throughout my pregnancy that i wanted to come back to work part time, and my boss had always said that she was flexible and that should be ok.
I had a meeting 2 weeks ago and discussed this further, and both my bosses said they were happy for me to work 3 days a week, or 5 days a week during school hours, and to come up with a proposal and send it to them asap.
So I did, and asked that i work 3 days per week, 9.30am - 4pm. I used to work 9-5pm and it was just awful being stuck in peak hour traffic, and i used to get maybe an hour with Janaya after work before she had to be tucked up in bed, other times she'd fall asleep on the way home from picking her up from daycare.

Anyway, i was asked to come in to work yesterday, and they have told me that they are not happy with my proposal and have said no. They need me to work till 5pm to cover the core hours, and they said they cannot ask the other ladies there to change their hours because it wasnt fair on them. They also said i cant work mon, weds and thurs because theres no way they could find someone to work tues and fris. They were also going to change my contract so that i was never allowed to go back to a full time role in the near future.
I asked if i could work weds, thurs, fris (the creche didnt have a tues but could do fri) and they said no to that to, because our job is more busy at the start of the week and they need my skills to be working during that time.
So i had no choice but to take my 12months maternity leave. i dont know how we are going to copemoney wise. i sent them an email explaining everything today and that i have no choice now but to take 12months leave, and all i got back was "leave approved" grrrrrrr!!!!!

does anyone know if i can work part time at another job during my maternity leave? Also, i havent paid my deposit yet at the chi;dcare centre, will they send me a bill?

At least i get to stay home i guess!!!

Ohhhhh what a bad situation for you guys.

Sorry I can't help much but I hope it all works out good for you

They can decline your request to work flexible hours under these circumstances.

You can work in an alternative job if you are on extended leave but not if you are receiving paid maternity leave. In fact, a few people take a years maternity leave and use it as an opportunity to keep their old job open while they work in a new position. If they don't like their new role they resign near the end of their maternity leave period and go back to their old job.

Probably best not to tell your employer that you've got or are looking for alternative work though.

Your not alone - it sux aye!

My boss was open for me to job share to come back part time but when it came for me to ask for it (cause i already took the 12months leave) she took a week to turn around and say no - with no explaination why not... It worked out in the end as another branch had a 10 hour a week job going so i got that one no problems - i did discover though that they were s'pose by company rules give me a valid reason why I couldn't give me job share/part time.. I still wonder why and it bugs me but I have to let it lie as I do like my job now (and hours)