After taking parental leave employees are entitled to come back to the position they were in immediately before going on leave. If that position no longer exists at the business, the employer must offer the employee a suitable available position for which the employee is qualified which is nearest in pay and status to their original position.
Employees can also request flexible working arrangements. This could include returning to work on a part-time basis or with different starting and finishing times. Such requests need to be made to the employer in writing.
The employer is required to respond in writing within 21 days of receiving such a request, and can only refuse the request on reasonable business grounds.
Best Practice Tip
Employees often lose touch with their work when they have been on leave for a long period of time. One of the best ways of ensuring employees are still engaged with their workplace and stay up-to-date with the changes is for employers to continue to maintain contact with them. This can include emailing and inviting them to special work functions, and helping them feel that they are still part of the team.