Advice needed on meeting re: shorter working hours

[PartTimeParent]

Hi, I hope someone can give me a little bit of advice as I'm lost as to what to do.

I am a regular poster, have namechanged as my usual one may identify me to someone from my company (unsure if they post or lurk but one day I mentioned MN & got a smirk from one of the other girls!)

Anyway, bit of background info: I have 2 children, 5 & 8 yrs old.
I currently work 9am to 5.30pm 5 days a week including evening meetings twice a month on a bi-monthly basis (shared with a colleague).

My youngest started school in Sept & is struggling to adapt. As well as adapting to school life, and deal with homework, she has a new childminder & she's feeling the changes rather harshly.

I was at home when my eldest dd started school and was there for her in the evenings to assist with h/work etc... but now dd2 is needing help & I reckoned if I cut my working hours down a bit it might be better... so I have requested shorter hours 3 days a week and have stated that I am still available for the evening meetings, all other duties, apart from leaving at lunchtime 3 of the days. (IN our industry these are the three slackest days & I wouldn't be snowed under by cutting them down)

However, my manager has said there are "no guarantees" that he will be able to accomodate my request He has asked me to attend a meeting later this week to discuss the matter with him. It was a very formal letter saying I could take a colleague or a union rep with me..... I don't want to do either, I haven't done anything wrong & just want to discuss the possibility of shorter hours!

My wages aren't great either so I will really be saving money in the long run as it will save me almost £100 per week on c/care.

[cakeywakey]

I would look at the meeting as a positive opportunity to put your side of the case across.

I work in local government and asked to move from full-time to jobshare during my maternity leave. Like you, I was told that there were no guarantees and had to formally submit my request, which was then formally considered. I also had a meeting with my manager.

The letter that you've been given may well be a standard proforma that your manager is using which ticks all of the legislative boxes. Taking a colleague along just means that you have some support - perhaps you can take along your colleague who can back up your arguments for shorter hours.

Do you have a HR department that you can talk to? If you haven't already, it's worth having a chat with them, and asking for a copy of your flexible working policy. They may also be able to advise you on any appeal procedures if you aren't happy with the way your request is considered.

On the other matter, it may be better to keep them both seperate, as it could be seen as you trying to back him into a corner and bargain your way to your new hours. Unless that might actually work Good luck.

[PartTimeParent]

Thanks Cakey - the whole HR dept (1 person) is also the manager's PA so everything we ask her goes right back to him!

It was her who told me he didn't actually have to comply with my request.

I asked my colleague today if she was willing to come along with me, but it seems she already has a full diary for every day next week. She's been there longer than I have & previous people who worked in my position were p/time. She couldn't understand why the need for the meeting when the last girl just needed to make a phonecall!

I don't object to the meeting, just get nervous at the thought of having to 'ebg' them for shorter hours. Actually I could probably keep my pay as it is, do the shorter hours & still be earning pants money.

Basically I signed a contract for £11,500 per annum based on a 36.5hr week..... but as I was told it would be reviewed I thought they would stick to their word - and they haven't. So apart from the workload & needing to be at home with dds I now feel resentful when I see other jobs advertised at more pay!! I have to admit I love my job, I get pleasure from it in a way I never knew I would - but it's not a hobby, it's a job & I have to remember that!

Thanks for the advice Cakey x

[rookiemater]

I'd use the meeting to try and highlight any benefits to them as a company i.e. highlighting the fact that you have chosen non busy days so it won't impact on delivery and stressing that all the important elements will still be carried out with a cost reduction to the company.

It sounds as if you have some very valid concerns about your pay and frequency of reviews, I would suggest that if you are hoping for it to be agreed it may not be the best to mention any of that at your meeting to discuss hours.

I also would try to put any thoughts to one side about how other peoples requests got approved easily. Your employers do have a right to discuss this with you and you need to approach the meeting with a positive frame of mind.

I really hope you get it approved.

[PartTimeParent]

Thanks Rookie - your first para is exactly what I need to get across, so thanks for that!

No, I agree & there will be no mention whatsoever about working hours of previous employees, I never actually met either of them as I was their replacement.

Thanks

[RibenaBerry]

PartTimeParent,

The stuff your employer is doing is probably because he wants to comply with the law on flexible working requests. Have a look here. However, I think that the site is a little misleading on when you have a meeting. You should have a meeting whenever you think that there's anything to discuss about the application - even if you fully intend to agree it. That website implies you only have a meeting if you think you'll say no. Often it's more about details and implementation.

The PA is right that they don't have to agree the request, but they can only turn it down for good business reasons, and it sounds like you have a lot of those sussed. Good luck.

[PartTimeParent]

Thanks, RB, that site has been useful, I have taken pointers off it & added some more info to what I'm going to say:

I shall highlight that the days I have chosen to work shorter hours are the days that will least effect the company & it won't have an impact on delivery

All the important elements of my job will still be carried out, with a cost reduction to the company

I will still be able to meet the deadline with no detrimental effect to the company, as the two longer days are the two busiest when most of my work is carried out

I will point out that they are still getting the same high standard of work and the same 100% performance from me

The effect on colleague will probably only be determined over a period of time but so far she has shown support

And I am willing to have a trial period to determine whether or not it will benefit the company

I also wish to point out (both here & at the meeting) that I love my job - I get excited when I go to work. I have been offered a job with fewer hours, working from hom in the afternoons, but it's not in the same line of work I do now, so I declined. I really don't want them to think there isn't enough work for two employees in the office & decide to 'let me go' instead!

[TheDailyWail]

You sound as though you're a good employee!

(although I'm at your salary for 36.5 hours - I reckon you're worth double that!)

[MotherTizer]

This is helpful.

www.workingfamilies.org.uk/images/Factsheets/factsheets%20091020/flexible_working 091020.pdf