Employment law SOS: returning to work after giving birth

Your return from maternity leave does not oblige your employers to allow you to work part time. If you wish to change your working hours to be allowed to work flexibly then you would be making a request under the new 2014 regulations, which were extended to everyone (not just those returning from maternity leave) with 26 weeks continuous service, with effect from 30 June. You are essentially requesting a variation of contract which, if granted, would be permanent. You will only be able to make one application in any 12-month period. Your written application must be dated and must state that it is a statutory request for a variation of your contract of employment. You must also state if and when you have made a previous request, the variation you are requesting and an explanation of how the change would affect your employer, and how this may be dealt with. The more information you provide about accommodating the application, the more likely it is to succeed. Your employer should arrange a meeting to discuss your application and then give you a written decision with well considered reasons (in which they should avoid subjecting you to discrimination). If your employer refuses your application then they need to explain the business rationale for doing so in writing and in detail, and offer you the right of appeal. The reasons your employer may give for refusing must outline the detrimental effect on the business, such as any impact on the ability to meet customer demand, additional costs involved or any negative impact on performance. The appeal should be conducted with a further meeting, and the appeal and decision confirmed in writing. The whole process should ideally be completed within three months.