In recent weeks issues around new parents returning to work and requesting flexible working arrangements have come up across THS, with some in management positions unsure of what they need to do or not seeking proper advice from their HR department.
 
If you want to know your rights after returning from parental leave, here are the things you should keep in mind: 

• Both the Health and Human Services Award and the Nursing Award are clear: employees returning to work from a period of parental leave have the right to request changes to their work days or work times, fewer days or fewer hours or even different duties at the same classification

• It is an your right to request changes, which aren't guaranteed, but management can't refuse unreasonably 

• This arrangement is available until your child reaches school age 

• There is no obligation on you to permanently reduce your hours. This is a temporary arrangement and management can’t use it to change your employment status

If you or your colleagues are having issues with returning to work from parental leave, or if you’d like to talk about your right to request a change in your working arrangements to meet your family responsibilities, please call HACSUassist on 1300 880 032.