Returning to work after maternity leave
and requesting flexible working

When You Return

As with all change there is an emotional and psychological adjustment. The first few days back at work can be difficult. You may feel comfortable being back in a familiar environment while at other times it may feel like it will take ages to settle in again.

This is when all the preparation and planning will pay off. A back to work plan - agreed by your employer and including a planned handover period - will provide the framework to get back up to speed. You may find the plan needs to be readjusted because you are adapting quickly or not. It is OK to speed things up or down if that feels right to you.

If you built a strong network before you left and have kept in touch with people over your maternity leave, this will also pay dividends. You will find that you are welcomed back and can continue developing the relationships that will help you in your working life. Remember that this is a transition period for your colleagues and boss as well. You may choose to work differently from when you left. It will take time for your colleagues and boss to realise the full implications of this.

Flexible working

The term flexible working is used to describe any working pattern that is adapted to suit your needs. Listed below are the most common types of flexible working:
• Part time: working less than the normal hours per day or fewer days per week.
• Home working: working from home either ad hoc or on a regular basis.
• Compressed hours: working your agreed hours over fewer days, e.g. working 37 hours in four days.
• Flexi time: choosing when to work (there’s usually a core period during which you have to work).
• Annualised hours: your hours are worked out over a year (often set shifts with you deciding when to work the other hours).
• Staggered hours: different starting, break and finishing times.
• Job sharing: sharing a job with someone else.

The process for requesting and getting a formal agreement for flexible working can take up to 14 weeks and this needs to be in place before you return to work. Any employee can request flexible working, however some employees have a statutory right in law to do so, and their employers have a statutory duty to consider this request. Currently, if you are an employee with 26 weeks continuous service with your employer (which can include your maternity leave) AND who has parental caring responsibility for a child who is 16 or under, or a disabled child 18 or under in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, then you have the right to request flexible working and your employer has a duty to consider it.

Once you’ve put in your formal request, your employer has to hold a meeting with you, and give you a written decision. They can only turn you down for certain business reasons. There is an appeal process if you don’t agree, which is also arranged by your employer.

Childcare

Availability, flexibility and cost of childcare can vary dramatically between different areas of the UK. Finding the right childcare is the most common concern amongst mothers returning to work. Take time to discuss the options with your partner that could include:

• Day nurseries
• Children’s centres
• Playgroups/Pre-schools
• Nursery schools
• Nannies
• Au pairs
• Family member

Factors to consider when weighing up the options for childcare:

• How does this fit with the flexibility my job demands?
• What are the back-up options when my child is unwell and excluded from childcare?
• What is the back-up option if my child’s carer is unwell?
• What are the financial implications?
• Am I entitled to Working Tax credits to pay for part or all of childcare costs?
• Can I use Childcare vouchers with this form of childcare?
• When was the last OFSTED inspection and how was it rated

For further information on childcare and an idea of the current costs, please visit the Day Care Trust at www.daycaretrust.org.uk.

This information was taken from Returning to Work: a guide for parents, produced by NCT and Working Families. You can download both the parent and employer guides as PDF documents.

Related Documents

Returning to work: A guide for parents (PDF 279 Kb)
This guide provides the tools, tips and advice that will help you enjoy the next phase of your life as a working parent.

Returning to work: A guide for employers (PDF 229 Kb)
This guide provides the tools, tips and advice that will help you to develop good working practices for maternity leave.

Helping your Employees Prepare for Parenthood Media Pack (PDF 256 Kb)
A summary of the ways the NCT can help you support your expectant employees

The experiences of women returning to work after maternity leave in the UK -a summary of survey results  (PDF 682 Kb)
This report seeks to understand experiences of mothers returning to work after maternity leave in the UK (2009).