Back to Full-time work?

I work in public service and have been on a 2 day week since kids were born 3 years ago.

I am permanent - can I go back to full-time (5 days)straight away if I request? I need to do so as my partner has just lost their job.

Do I have to give notice for this?

In the current climate can they say no?

how many hours does it state on your permanent contract?
you should have a copy of this, if not request it from manager.
were you on full time hours at some point in the past?
did you seek to reduce your hours at some point in time?

you can have a permanent contract for any amount of hours up to 39 per week, so if when you went on 2 days a week, your contract might have been reduced accordingly, I am aware of this happening in the public service, without staff realising the consequences of reducing their hours, i.e: when they wanted to return to full time hours they could not.

If your contract says 2 days a week, then i'd say at the moment that's all you'll get.
I'm not an expert, just speaking from experience.
And as for returning to full time straight away, asuming you can, where I work in the public service, it's highly unlikely.

Try and talk to someone informally first to find out exactly where you stand before approaching management.

Good luck.

Hi pcocp,

Thanks for that - I had full time week for 6 years before but requested shorter hours when I had kids - I have changed days a few times - 4 days, back to 2, up to 3 but have not changed for over 18 months now.

With the current climate was hoping to go back full time but...

You need to contact your local HR as soon as possible. Don't delay .Remember the HSE within the last few years did not let people back for several months as they couldn't pay them.
If I were you, I would write and ask for full hours citing personal financial reasons and I would also ring or even call to the HR dept.
In the present climate , expect anything. However, there is usually scope at local level for decisions like this.