My DD's maternity leave is nearly at an end. Before her leave started she spoke with HR and said she would be looking for part-time hours when she returned. They intimated that there would probably be a PT admin post available for her, but that she should speak to them about it in October.
So in October she submitted her request for flexible working, and subsequently had a meeting with HR in early November. At the end of November she received a letter saying they had considered all options etc. etc. but had to turn down her request. They added, however, that the company would be restructuring in the New Year, and that they would therefore revisit her request in early February.
She received a letter yesterday saying that unfortunately they are still unable to offer her a part time post.
The reasons are valid. Her original role was as Business Development Manager and she had a portfolio of clients. It is not the sort of role that can be split as a job share and she understands this.
She spoke informally with her line manager a few days ago and he said that her role has changed significantly since she went on leave and that he completely understood it would be impossible for her to fulfill the role even if she went back full-time, because now she would be expected to take calls from clients and deal with their problems at any time, including outside of working hours. Impossible as a single mother of a young baby.
So their decision to not grant part-time hours is effectively terminating her employment. She has two weeks to appeal their decision.
A friend of hers, who is an employer, said she should request to extend her maternity leave to the full 12 months, which would mean she would continue to get WTC and give her a little more time to find another job.
She has also spoken to ACAS and CAB for advice, but it's not looking hopeful on the Appeal front. She has to give grounds for her appeal and, of course, these have to be 'new' grounds, as they have already responded to her original reasons.
So, what should she do? Should she request an extension of maternity leave now? I don't even know if it is too late for her to do that, whether it is something that should have been requested some time ago. Could she appeal, citing the informal telephone conversation she had with her line manager as grounds, i.e. that her original role has significantly changed and therefore it is impossible for her to return to that?
Sorry for the long post. Any help/suggestions would be very much appreciated.
I am not a nasty person but ……
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