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Flipper 
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Joined: 22 January 2011
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 Topic: any come back options?
Posted: 11 September 2011 at 4:13pm |
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Prior to going on maternity leave I had successfully negotiated with my employer to come back part time basis for 6 months to spend some time with baby whilst little however it had the inclusion of a 6 week probation.
Since then my company has changed hands and when I phoned my boss this week to confirm what days I was coming back as going back to work in a months time my boss had forgotten entirely the part time arrangement I had made. I then got a call to come into the work to meet the new director during which I got told that they weren't happy with the department's recent performance and didn't like people working part time and were not going to entertain me work on a part time basis beyond the 6 weeks regardless of my performance and also I should arrange flexibility with my childcare so that I could work longer hours.
Whilst pregnant I managed successfully a project that was beyond my role in which I worked extremely long hours and every weekend for 3 months in order to try to get some leverage with a part time arrangement.
I'm so gutted at the situation (unfortunately I cannot afford not to work) and wondering if anyone has any advice on how to best deal with it.
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AnnaShev
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Joined: 04 October 2010
Location: Invercargill
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Posted: 11 September 2011 at 6:56pm |
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did you get the initial agreement in writing, because if you have then they have to honour it even though there has been a change of hands.
if you have a community law centre where you are, you could go talk to them and they may be able to help you.
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T_Rex
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Joined: 07 March 2007
Location: PN
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Posted: 11 September 2011 at 7:27pm |
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Change companies? Sorry, but honestly, if you don't have a family-friendly company, and colleagues who are going to be understanding when you call in with a sick kid for the 10th time in a month, life will be hell.
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Flipper
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Joined: 22 January 2011
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Posted: 11 September 2011 at 10:17pm |
Yes have the original agreement in writing however the new management are using the probation period as an automatic out; I don't have a chance to prove myself with the new management.
The director did say that he wasn't happy with the management in place in the company however this is something entirely out of my control.
To add fuel to the fire when I mentioned that I was coming back to work for reasons including financial the director was quick to remark that his wife had time off until their kids went to school. Something you really want to hear when they are revoking your request months later so that you can spend time with your baby. 
Feel I don't have a leg to stand on.
Don't know what to do and whether I should just as my husband says suck it up!
Edited by Flipper
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Hopes
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Joined: 06 August 2008
Location: Waikato
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Posted: 12 September 2011 at 6:31am |
Have you got a union you can go to? They might be able to offer some support. The other option would be to have a quick chat with an employment lawyer (pricey, though). However, if you go down either of these paths there's the unfortunate fact that you're probably going to get on the wrong side of your new bosses, which might cancel out any good that comes of it 
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Flipper
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Posted: 12 September 2011 at 7:55am |
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Thanks for the advice. Yes I could speak to our union rep. Agreed I don't want to get on the wrong sides of the new management but at the same time don't want to be expected to have to work long hours (feel like I have been there done that already).
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Hopes
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Posted: 12 September 2011 at 9:39am |
Yep, if you've got a union I'd absolutely speak to them  That's what they're there for, afterall.
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buzylizy
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Posted: 13 September 2011 at 10:17am |
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Not liking part time hours is not a lawful reason to decline your application for part time work. Do yourself a favour and go and read the part of the law that is relevant. Ask your company what the procedure is for applying officially and start a paper trail. Like I said not liking it is not a reason and unless they have a valid reason to say no then you can take them to court. It will make working there very uncomfortable but rather uncomfortable at work than in the rest of your life and finances.
I am in an almost similar situation and waiting to see how things will pan out. Good luck.
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mummymonster
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Posted: 15 September 2011 at 4:26pm |
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you could also talk to the someone in the department of labour. i happen to know someone works there and i asked her about going back to work and my husband working part time to do child care. she explained it really well and the rules weren't what i thought at all.
it's like if you had a full time job then your work is legally obligated to hold your particular job for up to 1 year. Other than that if you are trying to get a change in job (full time -> part time -> full time) then it's not the same job is it. IYKWIM
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Flipper
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Posted: 15 September 2011 at 5:32pm |
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Spoke to Department of Labour and the Community Law officer and ended up more confused. Community Law officer said they weren't 100% on how to advise me on this one. Thinking I may just have to see if I can change their mind once back at work.
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ItchyFeet
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Joined: 27 September 2007
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Posted: 15 September 2011 at 7:27pm |
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Just to correct one of the above posts, your company is required to keep an "equivalent" of your original job after the 14 weeks parental leave period if you have extended leave, but it does not have to be your original job.
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any come back options?
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