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Post by cookie on Jun 28, 2014 14:45:34 GMT 1
I get so cross when I hear of companies refusing requests for flexible or part time working. I've employed mums flexibly and been an employee as a mum part time and in the main have had hugely positive experiences. I have friends who have to work full time as their employers won't discuss part time or flexible and in several cases it has ended in resignation. It's disgusting in this day and age.
My preference has been to carry on with my relatively senior job on decent money part time. I do not take for granted the fact I have that option. In an open job market I could not command the same salary after a career break. Also when I had rocky times and a sick baby on return the first time I had a huge amount of support from my employer, I believe that's because we have a strong history of me being reliable therefore they are prepared to support me. With all those things in mind is be crazy to give up my job but I'm in a fortunate/ rare position and I never had aspirations to be a sahm. I like working 2.5 days a week.
One wise friend said to me years ago that as your children get older they need you more, not less. I feel that even now with my three year old first term at school and all that entails. For that reason I have no plans to work more hours at all. If our circumstances were to change however hopefully I have current expertise which means I'm employable.
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
Posts: 1,739
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Post by companymagic on Jun 28, 2014 21:18:32 GMT 1
Cookie. If I had the option I wanted to do the same but I am being refused. Quiet frankly I believe my current manager dislikes me and this is a great way to get rid of me! I have had nothing but trouble with my manager since he joined the company.
An quiet honestly I am exhausted fighting him /them. I have even been told about others in my area that werw back at work full time after 3 months and wow doesn't that just show wonderful commitment to the company hint hint.
A close friend who had a baby and works at the same company has been granted flexible work and hell they wvwn created a new role for her to suit the new hours. But me, well don't let the door hit you on the way out! ! I think although I know the job market will be tough if I need to go back full time it's time for a change anyway. I am in talks with a solicitor to see if there is anything I can do but I very mich doubt it. I just hope my replacement is man for there sake !! HUMP X
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Post by portiabuzz on Jun 28, 2014 21:34:54 GMT 1
That's disgusting am sorry that's so unfair Grrrrr
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Post by kafee on Jun 29, 2014 11:26:42 GMT 1
The school I work at won't let mum's job share and come back part time, as they feel having a fulltime form teacher is in the pupils (primary age) best interests. We've lost several brilliant teachers this way.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jun 29, 2014 11:50:54 GMT 1
How sad Sent from my GT-I8160
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Post by jennyb on Jun 29, 2014 14:30:35 GMT 1
I've had a terrible time at work since my (female!!) boss found out I was trying for a family. Culminating in me raising a grievance against her and consulting an employment law specialist, who concluded that I probably did have a case for constructive and unfair dismissal, and sex discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy. However, in order to pursue this I would have to resign, lose my maternity benefits and commence an expensive legal exercise, with no guarantee of a successful outcome. Hence this is a huge part of my decision to resign in due course, once the SMP payments are up. It's just disgraceful, employers are supposed to be supportive of family working but they can get away with discrimination, it seems. I'm thankful I have an alternative available to me in working from home for myself, and we don't rely heavily on my income. Having to go through a grievance procedure at work at 30-odd weeks pregnant is just disgusting and I will never forgive her for putting me through that.
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Post by Hannah on Jun 29, 2014 14:52:39 GMT 1
Oh Jenny that is awful
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Post by portiabuzz on Jun 29, 2014 15:36:50 GMT 1
Thats awful... So employers are still discriminating then ?! Grr
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Post by antares on Jun 29, 2014 15:46:20 GMT 1
Awful jenny, very very unfair and you are right not to pursue at this time in your pregnancy.
I suppose it's different in some workplaces but in mine, you have to go back to work for 3 months after maternity leave or you have to pay back the additional, non statutory element of maternity pay - make sure something like this doesn't apply jenny!!!
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Post by jennyb on Jun 29, 2014 16:36:57 GMT 1
I only get statutory so it doesn't apply to me, I am free to just hand in my notice and not ever go back. Which is nice on the one hand, but there were aspects of the job that I liked and it would have been nice to feel I had a choice about whether to go back or not!
Discrimination does still happen, amazingly, it's astonishing how many people suffer when you start asking around. I worked damned hard for my career and have given 7/8 years of my working life to that company - they will get no more from me!!
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Post by rosemaryhannah on Jun 29, 2014 17:52:10 GMT 1
It is not just a Mum problem either - my son is a single parent and his boss was -unsympathetic - when he wanted one fixed day a week off to cut childcare costs and provide him with regular time with his young son (he works shifts, and nothing is fixed). In the end the company policy of allowing for parental responsibilities won out, but the attitude was 'If you are a bloke, why are you doing this?' (Answer, I am a responsible adult, that is why.)
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Post by portiabuzz on Jun 29, 2014 21:27:28 GMT 1
Thats awful RH... Dads need all the support too ..
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Post by portiabuzz on Jun 29, 2014 21:28:26 GMT 1
Does make you wonder when the bosses have kids and everything fine to be off but anyone else theres problems.. Have seen That before..
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Post by cookie on Jun 29, 2014 22:15:58 GMT 1
I did wonder if my friends experiences was because they work in areas which were traditionally male but the shared experience here is wider than that. It really is a sad state of affairs. Jenny (& the boys) I think female bosses are often the worst sadly. I guess we don't always know what gone on in private to make them so difficult (jealous?). That does not make the behaviour right though. And it seems life is made most difficult when you're pregnant or the baby is under a year. Just when folks are at their most vulnerable... My three year old said to me the other day "when I grow up i want to be a vet. Then I'll have a baby in my tummy. When it pops out ill stop being a vet". I didn't really have a reply for her...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 23:13:18 GMT 1
CM surely you are entitled to maternity leave and I think (correct me if wrong) can't you take 6 months off without them doing a damn thing to you jobwise/salary wise as well?...........if thats the case then take the full allowance of maternity leave and then see how you feel about going back, only asking as deep in the back of my mind a friend of daughters took 6 months maternity leave and then took another 6 months at sklightly reduced salary and kept her job as well.........when she wnet back the boss caved on the flexitime issue as he didn;t want the bother of training another new member of staff You probably already know all of this but it might be worth taking a look at www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/overviewPlus Tax credits, Child Benefit and theres a Maternity payment of £500 you can get as well..........I think thats not something means tested anyone can claim it check out everything you are entitled to might even set hubby's mind at rest over money matters
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