Did You Get The Work Arrangements You Wanted Post-Baby?

This is something I'm interested in personally and professionally (I'm studying social research).

I guess I'm asking what your experiences were when trying to go back to your old job or find a new job after maternity leave. Were you able to negotiate the working arrangements you wanted (eg. if you wanted to go back part-time rather than full-time) or did you have to compromise in some way?

I got more than I was hoping for. I wanted to go part time (4days) and asked if I could perhaps work from home a few hours. My boss suggested I work a full day from home, which was awesome. He didn't mind if I didn't do the work on that actual day, just as long as over the course of each week I got it done. This was great as DS was only 15m so mostly I just caught up when he was sleeping or at night. Gave me a whole extra day with him.

I'm returning to work again in 10 days under the same conditions as I got last time which is fantastic. One less day of childcare to pay for too

It was all on the condition that my performance remained at the same high standard as before. However I was highly motivated to keep the working arrangements that suited me so I actually went up a performance rating as I was so keen for all to work out and repay my bosses faith in me

I had no trouble getting the arrangements I asked for both times, I went from full time to 3 days per week with DS1, and then after coming back from leave with DS2, I was asked to do a 7 day fortnight, which I had no trouble with.

I've even been able to change all my start and finish times around to coincide with being able to share the school pick up and drop offs with DH, they've been really supportive and never knocked back anything I've asked for.

I asked to return 3 days a week or preferably 5 day fortnight/job share. I was told I would have to return as fulltime to my original position as per prebaby including travel. No offer to role change etc to help accommodate & this was with very large multi-national company.

I just went back to my old job both times. :)

An interesting topic and one close to my heart - will put my experiences both times down once on laptop. I think is great you have started this thread too, because it was for me no way as easy as I thought it would be or it should be, and maybe if had read more of others experiences might have approached it all differently.

I went from full time to 2 days a week post maternity leave. They weren't my preferred days, but it was ok.. Now I've just changed to my preferred 2 days, but will be going on Maternity leave again in Oct. My boss has told me it will be the same when I go back again, can do the 2 days, but may not be my preferred 2 days. I don't mind though :)

I was told that my position was being made redundant 6 months into my mat leave and that I was welcome to apply for a new role being created however part time was not an option and I would need to spend 50% of my time interstate. No thanks.

I'm working as a consultant now, currently about 35 hours a week, all from home. I've got fantastic flexibility and can work around DD. I'll start visiting client sites later this year, but the hours will be dictated by what works for DD and our family.

I'm extraordinarily lucky

I went from full time to part time. Got the number of days I wanted, got the actual days I wanted. This is for a large multinational, but one who is known for being an excellent family friendly employer. They pride themselves on being an employer of choice for women and part of that is support with returning to work.

Once at work, things were a bit different - most people were used to dealing with part timers and accepted that I wasn't there Tuesdays and Fridays, but some were a bit funny about it.

When I left work almost 8 years ago I ended up resigning. It was made very clear to me that they would not consider part-time work. I was offered my job back after my replacement left, even though they wanted me, they still would not consider part-time. I could have worked 5 days, but really needed to leave 1 hour early.

I was working part for myself and part part-time with the next pregnancy, a family move stopped me from going back to my old work, which there would not have been a problem with.

I know with my current employer would be very flexible with returning to work and work from home if I was to have another baby (which I am not ;) )

I have chopped and changed my work arrangements since having kids and have had no problems what so ever. They have been very accommodating. I have always asked for what I wanted and got it as in days and hours.
I have been full time, pretend part time (1 day off), 3days and now currently two days and will increase to 3 when DD starts school in 2yrs.

My only problem is I am wanting to change rolls and would need to go full time for most of the rolls, so I am a little stuck with job possibilities. That's OK for now, willing to stick it out and move agencies if I need to.
I work in a government dept.

Dont get me started
Asked for 3 days a week and got rejected :(

Then asked for 4 days still nothing

Work/life balance doesnt seem to exist in this company :(

I've never had any problems returning to work in the capacity I've wanted (going from full time with staggered work hours per a roster - pre-kids - to part-time and standard daily work hours), but I do work for the public service. Mind you, since I started mat leave this time, the Qld public service has undergone a huge purge and I have no idea if (on the whole) it is as receptive to mothers returning to work as it previously has been. I'll find out later in the year!

I got told I had to return full time after having DS, which I did not want. I was then given part time hours which included finishing at 6pm. Impossible for the day care pickup. Thankfully, I was offered another job with a different company the week before I was meant to start back at my old job, which included fantastic hours and being told to not worry if I needed to take time off when DS was sick. I cried my eyes out when I left before I had the twins. I am now a full time SAHM.

Tried/trying to get work back but no one wants a nurse that has been out of work for 3+years...all jobs going are asking for recent experience.

I'm still on mat leave but have requested to reduce my days from 5 to 4 and my team leader is happy to accommodate me. I'd like to go down to 3 days but its not really financially viable for the next round of maternity leave cause it'll be on half pay.

I returned to work 3 days after both boys. My award entitles me to work part time until my youngest child returns to school (NSW Public School Teacher) and whilst what "part time" constitutes is at the discretion of the Principal/needs of the school, my Boss was extremely flexible and I was even able to choose my days - which was a necessity as they we the available days at Daycare. I have a new boss now and am yet to hear his views on part time etc, however, he has a relatively young family himself so hopefully he is understanding.

I went back fulltime but was conveniently made redundant after being back 3 months. So technically yes but not really.