I don't know how to put the link in to my first post, but basically my situation is that after my maternity leave was over I was to come back to work 3 days/week until September. When I brought up to my boss that I was ready to go back to 5 days he said that I might have to stay at 3 days for budget reasons. We were waiting to have a conversation with our boss.
Well we had that conversation and basically the budget was cut by alot and they feel that my position doesn't require 40 hours anymore (yes, I have the same responsibilities I had before I went out on leave). What has been decided is that they'll see if other departments need help and I can take on some of their projects. If not then I'll stay at 3 days/week and figure out how to maintain. The good thing is that I still have my benefits and vacation/sick time, so while I wait to find out the end result I can spend my Mondays & Fridays with my LO.
Re: F/U: Can they do this?
Yes, of course they can do that. When you cut your hours that potentially decreases the budget for your department. Now to get that money back, they may have to make a case for you going back to 5 days. If the work is getting done with you only being there 3 days a week, that's a tough case to make.
ETA - Sorry, my reading comprehension is off today! I didn't realize this was a follow up to a previous post.
Same thing happened to me.... I worked 40 hrs/wk while pregnant. I didn't have enough work to keep me busy at all, I was twiddling my thumbs a lot back then.
I worked out a plan with my boss to come back 24 hrs/wk for 3 months, then 32 hrs/wk for 3 months, then 40 hrs/wk after that. I did the first 3 months part time 3 days a week, and then asked if I could come back to 4 days a week, and he said "sure not problem, whatever you would like to do". Then a few months later I asked if I could start back at 5 days a week again, and he said "until I can show that you have enough work to do to justify 5 days a week, I can't move you back to full time". So, I've been working 4 days a week since September of last year...
At this point, I'm just happy I have a job at all. I really like my boss, love the company that I work for, have health benefits and a pension, and lots of great "perks". Plus, I really do like only working 4 days a week, it's really nice. I would gladly take my part time job over unemployment, any day of the week!
Yes this! That is awesome you get to keep your benefits and get a couple extra days with LO. I hope money wise you'll be able to work it out without too much added stress and such. And I'm glad to hear it was just budget related and they weren't being discriminating because of you being a new mommy.