Can I stop working full time and choose to work part time at my place of work.?

Question

I currently work full time and im finding it very difficult coping with my child who is under a year old. I see very little of my daughter and wish to now work part time. What are my rights? Will I be sacked if I fail to work full time?

Answer 1

You do have a right to request part time, I myself have just done it with my employer. They have to give you a good reason for saying no, so don't let them fob you off. I recommend getting together all your facts to back you up.

Below is a piece from the direct website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/GettingBackToWork/GettingBackToWorkArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10013843&chk=7u5UJA

Flexible working lets you ask your employer for a new working pattern to help you care for your child. You have a right to request a flexible working pattern if you've got a child aged under six or a disabled child under 18. Your employer has to consider your request seriously.

To have the right to ask for flexible working, you must:

have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks
be the child's mother, father, adopter, legal guardian or foster parent - or be the partner of one of these
have responsibility for the child's upbringing
be making the application so that you'll be able to care for the child
You'll need to fill in an application form when you apply for flexible working. You can only make one application a year.

Also take a look at the dti web, this is where I got my info and it's where my company got there's.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

Go to your HR department and ask if there are any positions available on a part time basis. Or see if you can telecommute from home part time and be in the office part time. If you are really unhappy with your situation, quit. Your child will only be a child for a short period of time. You would be amazed how many corners you can cut when it comes to your child. Myself and many other moms I know quit full times jobs when we realized the toll it was taking on our children and selves. I wait tables part time (3 nights a week) and work less than 20 hours. I make about $1200 a month doing so and I am able to be home when my child needs me most. This is a heart wrenching decision and difficult spot. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

You need to see your company's family leave and transitional work arrangements policy. Each company treats this situation differently.

You CAN NOT just start working less hours without an agreement from management. If you start working half days without notice, they CAN fire you.

You need to find out if your company offers job sharing, or TWAs and if you can fill one of those roles. If you work a full time job now - they need to take that into account as they may need to hire another part time employee to cover where you leave off. So talk to HR and your boss first.

But yes, if you just stop working your full shift, they CAN and WILL fire you. That is NOT fair to the rest of the employees and you should NOT be getting a full time salary if you are not working a full work week.

Answer 4

You can talk to your employer about FMLA. I know if you take a family medical leave, you can take 12 weeks all at once...or they can give you an equivelant of 12 weeks, which would be 480 hours. I know I have the right to chose either one at my company. You have up to 1 year to use that full 480 hours. You can work 32 hours 1 week, 20 hours the next, 40 the next..etc. It's up to your company. I've already checked into this at my place of employment. I'm going to take the 480 hours and stretch that time out over a year and work part time after i have my baby.

Answer 5

Hey Fitzy!
No mother should be forced to work full time. You will be exhausted, and you need those precious moments with your baby. Do you have a trade union at work? You can get advice from them. If you have been employed for 2 years by this company they can't sack you- you have rights! If you can afford the drop in salary (which was the worst aspect for me) then please cut your hours. Also if you earn less money you may qualify for tax credits and other benefits-ask at your job centre. Your daughter is more important than any job.
Good luck!
Jane K x

Answer 6

I dont think you have any right to work part time instead of full time .. it depends on the policies in your job.. go talk to them and they may be able to work out a more flexible schedule or reduce your hours

Answer 7

I think you have the right to decide if you want to return to work fulltime or part time. My friend is pregnant and the book she got off the midwife explained everything from the start of pregnancy to going back yo work and it said its your choice. You could go to you local citizens advice bureau and have a chat with them who will tell you your rights.

Answer 8

the company must be flexable, speak to your line manager and explain the situation, they have to let u work part time and if they say no then they have to offer a really really good explanation for rejecting your requests or they can get done in a tribunal.

Answer 9

You would have to talk with your employer to see what your options are. Either you have a job where they could accommodate your request, or you will have to find a job that is specifically part time.

Answer 10

I think it depends on your employer..if they allow part time employees then it shouldnt be a problem to be cut back to part time for personal reasoning...but if they dont allow part time then you might want to find another job that you have have the hours that you want