Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I am planning on telling my work that I'm PG right after my 12 week appointment. I'm thinking that when I return to work from maternity leave, I would like to work 4 days in the office & 1 day from home. Would you make this request now or wait until you are further along, maybe 6 months PG or so? My mom says I should ask for it now, I'm thinking to wait. Any advice?

TIA

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I asked for a flexible work arrangement while I was out on maternity leave. I had 6 months mat leave and I think I initially approached my boss about it after about 4-5 months. I now work Mon-Fri and have Fridays off. Thankfully he agreed!

ETA...I decided not to ask for it sooner b/c I didn't want to be that preggo/new mommy who wanted special treatment even before the baby arrived. I went on maternity leave, had them see what it would be like to not have me in the office, THEN approached the subject.

Message edited 10/25/2011 2:30:40 PM.

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I asked to change my hours while I was on maternity leave. It was maybe 3 weeks before I was due back. I called up my boss and asked and said it was due to childcare isuues. I was asking to come in earlier and leave eariler. I felt like that was the best time bc if it was too soon it would be like I just wanted special treatment without even having the baby yet and if I waited to I came back I didnt really have the arguement that I needed to do it for my childcare.

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I met with my boss right before my maternity leave ended. I changed my hours so I get home earlier and have Fridays off. I think they were nervous that I wasn't going to come back so they were willing to work w/ me to keep me.

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

Thank you for your suggestions!!

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I am planning on discussing this before I leave, I think that they will just be thankful that I'm coming back!

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I would wait. I think it's too much at once. Let them digest the fact that you'll be out for 3 months or so on leave before they need to decide on working one day from home.

My neighbor did this same thing and has been working Thursdays from home since she had her DD (who is now 3.5) and she now has a DS too. She asked after returning from maternity leave.

Whether you wait until before or after leave is obviously up to you, but I wouldn't put it on them when you first announce your pregnancy. It may make them think you're already thinking you can't handle a full time job with a kid and you're not even done with the first trimester. I'd definitely space it out.

Good Luck!!!

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

Like others have suggested, I would wait too. It's a lot for an employer to digest so it's good to let it all settle and wait until you're on maternity leave to ask. Also be prepared to show them that you can work from home and still be as efficient and provide the same quality of work as you would working in the office.

I asked about a month before I went back to work. Unfortunately, they wouldn't do it for me so I envy the moms whose employers accomodated them.

Re: Changing work schedule after maternity leave ends?

I waited till almost the end of my maternity leave to make that request. At that point my boss wanted me back in the office so bad he said yes to a 4 day work week.