returning to work after maternity

[drewmitch33]

My partner is currently an office manager in a traffic office and will be commencing maternity leave in december. On returning to work she will need to reduce her hours slightly to accommodate our childcare needs and my understanding of this was that her employer had a duty to assist her with doing this. Her employer has stated the only way she can reduce her hours is by first being demoted to traffic clerk.

My question is does she have to accept this demotion in order to reduce her hours from 45 to 35 hrs per week or is she entitled to reduce her hours without the change to her position within the company?

[judgemental24]

Re: returning to work after maternity

Simple answer is no

She returns from maternity leave as though she never left on exactly the same terms and conditions.

Believe it or not an employer has no obligation to an employees child care needs unless subject to a protected chaacteristic.

Demoting to another position is fine on a temporary basis to accomodate her child care if the employer is in agreement on a temporary arrangement.

I would be getting it in writing that this demotion is only temporary and the original position within the company remains open to return to. You will need to state how long you expect this reasonable adjustment to last, 3-6-12 mnths??,

You are talking of accepting a change in contractual obligations and remember

Your employer does not have to accomodate your flexible working request

[drewmitch33]

Re: returning to work after maternity

Thanks for your help judgemental24.