A. Yasmin Halai-Carter of First Impressions Last Longer writes:

It isn’t easy balancing fulltime work and motherhood: I know how challenging this is having had a baby just eight weeks ago. My advice to you would be to think very carefully about letting your employee go. You could be making a very foolish business decision.

Motherhood brings a whole new bundle of wisdom and business acumen. It’s tough, but when you’re in work your focus is absolute. Any time away from your baby is precious and a killer instinct kicks in when it comes to deadlines being met. I used to think like you and my honest response to one of my staff coming to me post-baby would be ‘could they cope?’, ‘are they going to be up to it?’ I couldn’t be more wrong.

Motherhood may bring a whole new edge and dynamism to her performance and part time doesn’t necessarily mean three days a week, either. If she is willing to work everyday and perhaps leave earlier or work through lunch it could work.

Also you need to think about how de-motivating her leaving could be. Will other team members feel that a life outside of work isn’t celebrated? Will they appreciate her position more knowing that she is balancing both?

If you’re adamant it won’t work, then be honest with her. Let her know that the role demands a full-time commitment and senior staff working part-time isn’t the vision you have for the company. She may surprise you and come up with an alternative.

In terms of legalities, a return to work mother has a legal entitlement to request a flexible working arrangement but not to be granted one. There are eight DTI reasons why it might not be granted and a company has to ensure that they have undertaken due diligence in considering the request. One legitimate reason is the need to be available to work with clients.

As an employer I think we run the risk of litigation if we don’t try and work with the employee and explain the issues faced as a business and look for ways it could work for both the organisation and the employee. As a mother I think we need to remember how important it is for us to be accepted at work without feeling penalised for having had a baby.