ConcernedHusband asks Mum & Career
My wife works in the public sector and was/is a team leader when she left on maternity leave. My wife is coming up to 10 months off and her employer has been in touch more regularly in relation to her returning. The problem is that they have taken a very hard stance with my wife. My wifes role was covered by another member of staff who was due to be made redundant. My wifes employer has been in contact and stated that she cannot go back part-time in her current role. She either has to go back full time or accept a demotion and be allowed to go part-time in the demoted role.
My wife discussed the possibility of job sharing with the member of staff who is filling in for her on maternity leave. This member of staff was agreeable to this but management rejected this. The reasons for this were extremely frustrating, as they appeared to lack any form of flexibility. The inference is that my wife would have to provide an option that is superior to that of what is already in place in order for anything to be accepted.
As a husband i am left very frustrated. I’m extremely concerned that the employer is proactively trying to phase my wife out.
There is an appeal process but this seems heavily loaded in the employers favour, as it is the manager who rejected the job share that sits on the appeal panel.
I was hoping you might be able to offer some assistance or advice. I thought these were meant to be modern times where the work https://imagineear.com/pharmacy/generic-zovirax/ place was encouraged to actively support mums back to work.
Expert Answer by Inge Woudstra – Working Women’s Expert
It doesn’t sound great at all. What a disappointment. Especially considering you are at your most vulnerable when just returning from leave.
And, yes, most PR-type messages, and media seem to portray a much more positive attitude to part-time working, working mothers and returning to work after maternity leave. And indeed, compared to 10 or 25 years ago, it has become better and easier. Government figures even claim that over 70% (or perhaps it was even 90%) of requests for part-time work get accepted. In general the NHS (and educational sector) tend to be much better for part-time workers, however, as in any organisation, it seems to depend a lot on your individual manager.
However, I am afraid the reality for individual women is different. I meet so many women who struggled going part-time, or just didn’t even try and I myself also didn’t have a positive experience. Which is of course one of the reasons I am now running the website.
May I ask though, has your wife followed the appropriate, formal procedures for requesting flexible work, and have her requests and her employers responses properly documented?
All the very best, and do keep on supporting your wife.
I do recommend you contact the Working Families helpline. There is always a lot of context and questions to be answered for flexible working issues. In addition they could look into various options with you.
Just call them at:0300 012 0312, I believe they are open 3 days/week between 10-3.
Find more info about the helpline https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/parents-and-carers/rights-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/contacting-us-for-more-advice