Advice needed on asking to reduce my hours

[Azure]

I have always worked full-time, but have recently decided that I would really like to reduce my hours. DS starts school next September (he is at nursery at the moment) and it will be my last chance to spend more time with him. I would like to work 4 days per week until September, then change my hours to 5 days per week, but leaving early (2pm?) 2 days per week to pick him up. My problem is that I oversee a department of around 20 people, I have regular "busy" times (quarter-ends, budgets - I'm an accountant btw) and next year sees the implementation of new systems, which is likely to be hugely time-consuming. I would be prepared to work the Friday (and typically the weekend) when it is one of these busy times, as long as I had enough notice for childcare, and be paid for the extra days (not paid for weekend working or overtime - that's just part of the job). How can I present my case to my boss? Where do I stand legally? I have a very good relationship with him, but just can't see him agreeing unless pushed. I would appreciate any help.

[beachyhead]

There have been quite a few threads on here as to the forms that you have to fill in, how you should present your case and the fact that they have to consider every request and answer you within 28 days. With regard to the busy periods, I would 'offer' up a floating 10 days, lets say, so that within a year you promise to work 10 Fridays of your choice to co-incide with the quarter ends etc. You can then book them in the diary early and arrange childcare. This a better arrangement than doing ad hoc Fridays as you should get holiday, pension, salary etc on those days, rather than just pay.

Hope you find the other links they are all under this topic but might be archived....

[pixiefish]

here's the dti site
there are loads of other threads on this here's one .
Have a look at some of them to see what other people have done. Personally I've gone back two days a week (not happy at the moment but that's another story) and basically unless your boss can come up with a valid reason then he has to allow you to do it.

[Azure]

Thanks for your quick responses - I'll read the links and threads mentioned. I like the suggestion of floating days.