Flexible working agreed and now withdrawn

[MadWestie]

Hello,
Looking for advice pleeaaasssee...
Contacted my boss in Feb to discuss return to work plans and possibility of flexible working , chased in March and was told via email that yes 3 days a week would be ok.
My boss has now left and my new boss and HR have now said I can't return on 3 days a week.
I've offered to step down a grade and despite other members of my team working 3 days a week they have also said this is not an option.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance

[MadWestie]

Hi,
The initial agreement was only via email and not a formal letter. They have since said that the business can not support 3 days a week in my current role.
Thanks for any advice

[MadWestie]

Just seen your last post, I still have the emails outlining my request and the subsequent ok.

[MadWestie]

Not back at work yet so no, not started p/t hrs.

[MadWestie]

All my requests have all been done via email unfortunately. I really wish I had written a letter instead now! :-(

They just said it wouldn't fit with they way they run the department and couldn't juggle my work on the days I'm not there. To make it work they would have to significantly change the way the team works at my level and they can't/don't want to do that.

I think my old boss was keen to make it work and my new boss is less so. Nothing has changed as far as I can establish.

I am seeing HR next week to in there words 'discuss options' and the topic of 'what's changed' is a good angle, thank you.

[flowery]

I would be inclined to place more emphasis on the fact that you have written confirmation of agreement to your request to vary your contractual hours. There is no difference between a letter and an email in this respect.

[MadWestie]

Thanks for all your advice both.
Flowery - that's my husbands view too...

[flowery]

Obviously they can't refuse a request without having gone through a proper procedure, which they have not. But in your case your request has already been agreed, and you've had confirmation of a variation to your terms and conditions. I would be fairly strong on that.