https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:40:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551734 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:07:04 +0000 gingerbebe 1551734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would ramp up gradually and move from 12 hours a week, MWF, then to 3 full days on MWF (24 hours), and then a fourth day (32 hours). </p> <p>Then you could go full time as of Monday, May 6th and it will be a smoother transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551653 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:28:50 +0000 artsyfartsy 1551653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: Not yet. I assume she will be able to, but I already told my boss that was something I'd have to arrange first. I made it clear that we have to make sure she's ready to take him. Obviously if she's not ready then I won't go. </p> <p>@Mrs tartan: That's a good idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551603 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:17:04 +0000 Mrs tartan 1551603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why don't you go back mon, thurs and fri? At least that would give you only 1 day of paying for childcare and more worth your while.<br /> I'd agree 3 half days for the first week, then up to 20 hours the week after. Full day will be taxing on the brain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551460 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:45:32 +0000 Corduroy 1551460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are the hours you mentioned the only hours you will work? I find most part time people I've worked with end up working almost as much work as full time but they only get paid part time. Naturally you would want to avoid that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551363 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:25:27 +0000 kiddosc 1551363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you checked with the daycare provider to make sure she can accommodate you early? Before you plan too much, you should make sure you have a place to send T. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551326 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:13:52 +0000 Lozza 1551326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work 2 days/week when LO was 6 weeks old, and it was fine. My deal with my office was that I came back early part-time, but continue to work my part-time scheduled longer. So instead of coming back full time at 12 weeks, I did 12-16 weeks at only 3 or 3.5 days/week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551198 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:48:09 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1551198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds good. 2 days a week plus a half day. I say go for it!<br /> Honestly, I would've liked a part-time flexible gig when I was at that stage. I SAH but had a desire to leave the house and get back into things pretty early on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1551098 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:29:52 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1551098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like it would work well.</p> <p>Maybe even for the first week see if you could just do M and W? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550898 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:34:26 +0000 lavender 1550898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work part-time with LO#1 before I started back up FT and plan on doing it with #2 in two (!) weeks. Always a gentler transition IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550893 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:32:44 +0000 Mae 1550893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're comfortable with going back your schedule sounds good. Although I'd probably ask for an extra week or two paid vacation to use later this year to compensate for the time you're missing with your newborn (I understand your leave is unpaid, but you're doing them a huge favor rushing back to work at 8 weeks postpartum, seems they owe you). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550849 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:21:17 +0000 lawbee11 1550849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back part-time for a month before I went back full-time, and it really helped with the transition and me not being so sad about going back to work. I worked 20 hours/week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9-3:30). I pumped at 10:30 and 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550848 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:20:31 +0000 looch 1550848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a big fan of easing back in if you can, so I think your schedule sounds really good. Plus, you can always add or change if it's too little or not enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550838 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:18:05 +0000 artsyfartsy 1550838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That would be nice! Unfortunately it's not up to my boss...it's up to his bosses. But the lady above me is retiring soon and I've already been guaranteed a promotion to her job when she does...which comes with a pay raise. </p> <p>@Seattlemom: That's true. Even though I'm open to going back it is unfair for them to ask. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550827 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:15:03 +0000 lady grey 1550827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say NO. Its unfair of them to ask since you arranged this ahead of them. If you MUST could you start with just Thursdays and Fridays so LO is with family? And deal with the daycare/babysitter later? For pumping I would usually do 9am, 12pm, and 3pm. or 10, 1, 4 worked too.<br /> Pumping at work tip: keep pumping stuff in a zip lock bag in the fridge between pumping sessions and that way you don't have to wash it after every time. Saves so much time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550826 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:14:50 +0000 mrbee 1550826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they need you that much, maybe you can get a raise out of it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550817 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:12:45 +0000 Mamaof2 1550817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: yes I think M, W, F 8-12 would be good to start! That way you can ease back in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550762 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:57:32 +0000 doodlepoodle 1550762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: sad! My new job doesn't have the option (on a regular basis) either. Boo!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550749 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:53:43 +0000 bushelandapeck 1550749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: That sounds like a good plan. Then you can add hours as you go along and still have lots of time with T. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550748 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:53:23 +0000 artsyfartsy 1550748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: Nope. No option to work from home. Really wish I could! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550746 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:52:54 +0000 artsyfartsy 1550746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Panda: Breaking up the week is easier for me. Tuesdays and Thursdays are easier to take off from. If I missed a Monday or Wednesday I would be hurting to make up for it the next day. </p> <p>Maybe M, W, F 8-12 for at least the first week until I decide if it feels comfortable or not? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550738 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:51:00 +0000 doodlepoodle 1550738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back part time early(5 weeks PP) in a VERY similar situation- but at that time was working from home at my leisure and was just tracking my time. Is there a way to do some from home? I found going back that early made breast feeding even more stressful but we had a rough journey no matter what. </p> <p>Good luck mama, I def suggest taking it easy earlier then increasing over time! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550737 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:50:46 +0000 artsyfartsy 1550737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I'm ready...T is almost 7 weeks old. BFing is well established and I'm confident about pumping and he takes a bottle well...but at the same time thinking of the possibility that this might be my last week home with him has made me cry already. </p> <p>But I don't think I'll ever be truly ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550730 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:49:20 +0000 MrsTiz 1550730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I say go for it! I actually came back to work early too, working just a few days a week. I was also taking unpaid time off, so honestly we needed the money more than I needed to be home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550724 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:48:17 +0000 snowjewelz 1550724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The money sounds tempting, but I would def ask if you can try it out to see how you feel. Maybe start with going back for a couple hours just 2-3 days a week first and then go from there? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550722 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:47:27 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1550722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mean, if you are truly ready to return from maternity leave, I would just go ahead with the schedule you have already stated. Can you do Mon and Tues so it doesn't break up your week like that? Or do you want it broken up? The nature of my job it's beneficial to have a string of days in a row so I am a little biased toward that. Just make sure you are 100% ready for this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550718 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:46:40 +0000 bushelandapeck 1550718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would your boss be okay with you trying it out for a few days to see how it goes, and then renegotiating if it feels like too much? Does 20 hours feel like the right amount to you? I would also think about it in terms of this possibly being the most time (all at once) that you will get to spend with your baby, so maybe it's worth putting off going back for a few more weeks to have that extra time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550714 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:45:28 +0000 MrsKoala 1550714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the schedule you proposed sounds reasonable! If you can work it out with childcare, then go for it! It'd probably be nice to get paid again! This is my fourth week back at work and each week gets easier. I think it will be really nice to ease back into working instead of jumping right in to the full time schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boss-wants-me-to-come-back-part-time-early-from-mat-leave-wwyd#post-1550708 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:41:47 +0000 artsyfartsy 1550708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boss and I agreed when I went on mat leave that I would come back may 1st. Well he called me today saying he's desperate for me to be back to work and needs my help (I'm pretty dang good at my job. Plus we have a small staff so one person missing is a big deal). He said he would let me choose my schedule until may 1st, as long as I'm back.</p> <p>I am interested in going back part time before I jump into full time work...I think it'll be beneficial to me, plus although I will cry when I have to leave T, I'm ready to start normal life again.</p> <p>Normally I work M-F 8am-4pm.<br /> We are using an in home daycare M-W, a family member on Thursdays, and DH will watch him on Fridays because he's off work. I was planning on meeting with my babysitter in a couple of weeks to go over breastmilk handling and other things about his care but now I will need to rush. Same with DH's family. </p> <p>I will be pumping at work. What schedule would you all suggest? I can probably use the rest of this week getting child care arrangements finished and start leaving him (sob sob) next week.<br /> I would be unfair if I didn't work mondays. They are the toughest day of the week and they need my help. I was thinking Mon and Wed 8-4 and Friday 8-12. That gives me 20 hours. </p> <p>Any advice? WWYD?</p> <p>ETA: My maternity leave is unpaid and basically just an agreement between my boss and I. No paperwork or hours or anything will get messed up if I come back early. </p>