Anyone's flexible working request been rejected?

I work as a dental nurse, this is baby #2.
I worked 4days a week after baby #1, and now Im on mat leave, looking to go back in January.

I submitted a flex work request last month and had a meeting yesterday to discuss the outcome: I had proposed dropping down to 2 days, which just got rejected, with no opportunity to discuss to see if we could make something work. I then asked about 3 days I was told no, that they wanted me to return 4 days, which is what I was doing anyway.

Im not upset that my 2 days got denied- their reasons were fair. Im more upset that there was no leeway, no discussion on maybe 3 days or compressed hours. I had even asked them if they could suggest an alternative working pattern.

Feeling down about it. Wondering if I should appeal or leave it. Jobs like mine are hard to come by as I specialise.

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I may be wrong but I always thought when coming back off mat leave they have to honour new working schedule! But I could be wrong x

As above comment I think they have to at least try to accommodate something it sounds like they’re simply saying no to anything you’re proposing unless you go back to what you were working before ? Are you in the NHSv

Flexible working requests should be considered by companies but unfortunately due to loopholes in the law companies can make your return to work difficult and essentially push you into a position where your requests come second to their bottom line. Essentially if you worked less days or fewer hours then they would need to employ someone else which they don't want to do.

If you're part of a Union get in touch and get advice.

Or contact ACAS who provide advice on employment law
https://www.acas.org.uk/

And also try Pregnant Than Screwed which is an Amaizing charityhttps://pregnantthenscrewed.com/

Contact the orgs above and make sure you have a copy of your contract plus your company maternity and flexible working policies to hand for reference

I personally would always appeal. But it's up to you. You never know they may not expect you to push back and you could get the hours you want. All the best 👍🏾

Obviously there's also your own HR dept but they're not alwyss the most reliable or discreet

A few other points when contacting the orgs above, has anyone else in the company got a flexible work request approved (maternity or otherwise), does anyone else do compressed hours, whilst you were on Mat Leave how did the company fill your post ie through 1 person, 2 ppl job share etc

Hey fellow dental nurse here
Sorry your work rejected your flexible working request

Have you put forward half days but sticking with 4 days? Covering busy days/ periods e.g am/pm ?

Definitely look into union support as mentioned in the above comment

in our community

Go to dinner ideas

Looking for recipes you use in your family that are not the traditional lasagna, shepards pie, ect

Love my husband. Love my kids. But…

I’m 32 weeks pregnant with twins. I take care of my 4 yo, 2 yo, and 1 yo. I barely have energy to stand anymore. I cuddle and watch movies with my kids all day at this point. My husband is less pushy in this pregnancy in wanting to be touched or love up on me. But I feel more like a tool these days more than ever. He gets frustrated (not to a crazy degree) but I can tell he huffs because he’s probably sexually frustrated from me not wanting to be touched on. (my boobs are super sensitive atm) I love having the babies part, but the pregnancy also now has me feeling like a baby making machine. And a tool with big boobs made for touches and my husbands pleasure. Ofc I love my husband and kids, but with my hormones all wack, it really doesn’t feel the same when you’re not turned on. It’s so hard for me to get turned on. I’m uncomfortable all the time in my own body. Babies moving in there all the time. My children cuddle me all day but get rowdy at the end of the day, so I end up getting touched out and I can get irritable when my husband tries to touch me affectionately. He doesn’t have the tact necessary for me right now, when I wish he wanted to go in for a normal comforting hug I’m let down more often than not, there is almost always a boob groping involved as well. I tried to just let him touch me last night so he could get it out of his system, but he could tell I felt tense. Wish my boobs weren’t such an uncomfortable place for me to be touched. Idk why I’m making this post. Probably just to vent. Wish men were equally as emotionally intelligent as women. Wish I didn’t feel like I still owe him something because he’s picking up a lot of the house load and yet I still need to ask him to do more before these twins arrive. He’s tired every day when he comes home, so he takes a shower sometimes works out, and helps get the kids to bed. So it’s a struggle getting him to help any further than that. Weekends are my only time to get to him. But it’s a struggle to find time on weekends too. I know if he wanted to he would. But there’s just no drive.

If you DO NOT buy things second hand, it is mainly because:

Answer only if it applies to you.

What are we giving our soon-to-be 3yo for their birthdays?

We have the magnetiles, we have the kinetic sand and play doh, we have the play kitchen…

Literally, is there anything left in the world to buy this spoilt kid? 😅

Baby groups?

Hello there!!
I hope you enjoying the 5month babies 🫠 the cuteness outweighs everything over here.
We live in the area of Croydon & need to start going to baby groups ( I NEED it more than him though) but I am a little bit clueless. Any recommendations?
We are happy to travel a bit too.
Thanks ☺️

Looking for connection!

31, to be 32 this year. Baby boy due in June. FTM. Looking for someone to relate to, let’s support each other! I could use a good friend, I’m a great one myself! Bluntly honest, will always stand by you whether we agree or not! Located around southwestern Ontario but open to long distance :)