Have been told can't go back to work part time!

Just remember that you don't have to tell them when you are going back to work until something like 4 weeks before your total leave ends. If they are not going to offer you a position suitable to you, you don't have to be generous enough to let them know your plans!

Thanks everyone for your help! I'm going to leave it open then for now, as the situation could have changed in a years time! It just felt a bit wrong not telling them that I probably wont be returning, but as long as it's not breaking any rules! My boss does keep saying what is he going to do without me! The only problem is that I couldn't work for any of the other local dentists as I know mine is the only decent one, especially towards their employees, so it would mean branching out in another direction, which I can also see positives to! Thanks again ladies x

I have ust gone on maternity leave & had this discussion with my boss on wednesday. They can only hold your job as it is now ie full time open for you. They must take a request to work part time and must prove that it is not beneficial for the business to allow you to work those hours, suggest a job share maybe? They cannot say no straight away. WHilst on leave you are tied to your normal contract so take the SMP from them and if you dont want to go back / they have position available for you then hand in your notice xx

Your employer cannot withold maternity pay from you as it is a statutory benefit and not a contractual perk. Even if you tell your employer that you wish to quit your job whilst you are on maternity leave they will still have to continue to pay your mat pay until you have been off for 39 weeks.By law you are able to request flexible working hours however they have to give it proper business consideration and be able to prove to a court (if you sued them) as to why they didn't grant you the change in hours. You must give them 8 weeks notice of your wish to return to work and the same amount for a flexible working request. If you hand in your notice you only have to give the amount of notice stated in your original contract (usually around 4 - 6 weeks). I work in HR for a big financial company so I know these are the rules for all employees in the UK. There is also alot of information on http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/index.htm
That link will take you straight to the advice on employment rights section.

dont tell them u dont plan to go back u could miss out on maternity pay plus every employer has to keep your job open u hav to tell them 8 weeks before ur scheduled to return back and if u take extended maternity leave over 6months up to 12 they can over u a job but different position that suits u and them so that might be ur chance to get part time doing different job. but they cant sack u xx

I was in the same situation, i worked in insurance and due to the nature of the job you could not work part time, i told work that i would be back after my maternity leave(the full year) and 8 weeks before i was due back handed in my notice, the time frames may have changed but they are ment to leave a position open for you, have a chat with your HR manager, but just dont tell them that you plan to leave yet, keep your options open. You do not need to hand your notice in or tell them you want part time hours yet, you can do this on the run up to returning to work. Good luck x

hey there, it's ethical that they give you part time hours, but they dont have to by law. in most cases you can request part time hours, and if they refuse, you have the right to challenge it, in which case they have to come up with a good excuse as to why not. a friend of my husbands is a dental nurse, and they have said the same to her, but her full time would now include 2 evenings a week at college - she requested part time hours, and when they refused she told them to stick it then! good luck hun, and as someone down the page said, you can always try citizens advice etc. x

Hi hun, don't worry about the credit crunch, there are jobs out there, they are just taking a little longer to secure. My husband found a position - don't worry. Besides you say there is a shortage of dental nurses, there may be another practice looking for someone part time after you've had your little one.
I would not worry, leave it till your on maternity leave, then request part time... if they can't honour it that's their problem (but you should then be able to keep your maternity pay I think I'm right there!!!) Then once your ready look for something else!!!