Any advice on making a request for flexible working?

[BusStopBetty]

Been told office is moving in Jan. No chance of getting to childcare from new location. Want to leave 15 mins earlier & would either start earlier or reduce lunch break (again, I already leave a bit early).

Any tips for making a good request? If they don't agree to it I'm stuffed. Have name down for other childcare, including one closer to work and one open later, but unlikely to get a place in the near future.

To be honest, I could do the bulk of my job at midnight, on Everest, but flexibility is a big no no so I'm rather anxious. I am applying for other jobs anyway. Hopefully something will turn up.

[Loraline]

Try can refuse based in business needs so address that in your application. Do everything you can to prove you can make it work. In my office they recommend you discuss with your line manager before making the formal application so have your info all ready and use the meeting to get a feel for any concerns they may have. Our company actually had a form to fill in with specific questions to address so check if yours is the same.

[BusStopBetty]

Thanks. I've actually just dropped them an email asking if we can have a chat and outlining what I would want to do. It shouldn't impact anyone else as I deal with my own workload.

I can't see anything on the intranet about a form, but I'll ask about the format as well.

[SirNiallDementia]

Look up the 8 business reasons an employer can turn down a flexible working request and make sure you explain why each reason does not apply in your case.

[HopefulHamster]

Bear in mind that if their relocation has a negative impact on your children's education/life, you could be made redundant via relocation (look it up on the gov site) if what they are offering you is not 'reasonable'.

My office moved recently. Most people were forced to go along with it. One with sole care of his daughter who wouldn't be able to pick her up on time successfully (was what he wanted) got redundancy. I now only work one day in the office.

[therealgrandsophy]

I've had flexible working myself (like you based around childcare timings) and I've also managed a lot of staff and both agreed and refused requests. For me I want to see that what is suggested is practical and won't impact unreasonably on others. So I've turned down requests when a manager had thought through how they would supervise staff when not in the office, when frontline staff haven't been able to mitigate against impact on direct delivery, or when people have not built into sufficient break times (eg at least 30 min lunch break not working straight through until home time).

You're actually asking for a very small adjustment, 15 mins less at lunch and then 15 mins earlier to leave so if it doesn't impact on other staff having to cover you it sounds reasonable. But you could suggest a trial period so you can all assess it works, and be aware that they may also be juggling other requests too - and when these are put together it may get less feasible.

It's also worth checking your contract and see what it says about location - you may have more luck requesting if it's a significant distance from your current location.

Good luck!

[QuackDuckQuack]

Sorry to hijack, but when you talk about how someone would manage staff if working flexibily therealgrandsophy, do you think there are ways that this can be done successfully? Or does a manager really need to be with staff full time?

[Oly5]

You need to think of why they may refuse and address those concerns in your application. So if you want to leave early and they might say that impacts on your colleagues, big up
Your ability to start early, take a shorter lunch or work later in the evening from home on projects. Stress that you won't leave the job undone.
Don't go on and on about your kids. Just say this flexibility will help me organise childcare near the new office.
I stressed my own flexibility like mad - ie if you're flexible with me, I can be flexible back and work whenever I might be needed.
Is there no home working at all at your place?

[BusStopBetty]

Home working? Strictly forbidden! I do try to be as flexible as possible and am not averse to doing bits at home or staying late when I can. Which they well know.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll speak to my manager and take it from there.