Flexi Working Arrangements (Yeah right!)
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18991
Printed Date: 13 September 2025 at 1:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Flexi Working Arrangements (Yeah right!)
Posted By: Snappy
Subject: Flexi Working Arrangements (Yeah right!)
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 3:44pm
|
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!!!  ------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |
Replies:
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 4:22pm
|
i think as long as your not on the "paid" first 12 weeks of your leave that you are allowd to work
as far as i understand its just they have to keep your job open to you if you want it for the 12mths. have you thought about job sharing?? eg i work 8.30-1.30 and then someone else works 1.30 - 5.30 it took my boss a bit of getting used to but hes ok with it now. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 4:30pm
|
Ohhhhh what a bad situation for you guys.
Sorry I can't help much but I hope it all works out good for you |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 5:31pm
|
No, you probably can't work for another company while on the 12 months leave, without approval from your current employer. Most contracts will have something around secondary employment. You are still contracted to the company while on parental leave (even though it's unpaid) and most companies will have to approve any other work you want to do. Some employers will say yes with no difficulties but it is within their rights (if it's in your contract) to say no.
Is it worth looking for another job?? ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 6:39pm
|
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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 7:31pm
|
I dont think that they can change your contact whilst you are on maternity leave.....could be worth talking to someone about it. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 8:45pm
|
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) ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 09 July 2008 at 8:46pm
|
thanks ladies, thought that was the case.
Yeah i asked about job sharing. They said i could do that, but they werent happy for me to do half days (eg 7am-1pm) because they said its "too messy". If i was to do a job share the conditions were that i had to work a mon, tues, weds 9 - 5pm. That was all they were willing to offer me. The childcare centre didnt have a tuesday available and wont have one for quite some time. At the moment DH is going to pick up extra hours at work (hes paid double time) for instance tommorow morning he is starting work at 3am instead of 7am, and will receive 8 hours worth of pay. it wont take much for him to make as much as i would on the three days i would usually work anyway, Fingers crossed it all works! ------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |