Flexible Working Refused

[agirlcalledsandoz]

I have just returned to work after maternity leave. I had my flexible working request turned down on the grounds it would have a detrimental effect on customers. So I came back full time ( financially can't not work) and am looking for a part time role in meantime. A colleague on the same team as me is due back in a couple if months. Her flexible working request was also refused in same grounds as mine was but she is kicking up a fuss, saying they have to give it to her etc etc I am worried they will give it to her because she is making a fuss ? Can't hey do this ?

[Xenia]

They have to consider each request on its merits. There is no obligation to grant a request and you were wise to come back fulltime. I went back full time when the children were very small and roll on a good few years actually it might have been hard but it was one of the best decisions I took. Lots of women who go part time regret it later and it can hinder future career development and promotions and mean its harder to have a non sexist relationship at home, whereas if you earn a full time wage or 10x what your partner earns it helps things work better and be more fair on the home front too.

I suspect the one kicking up a fuss is not doing herself any favours, and you instead are. Could your other half go part time if the family wants a part timer at home?

[agirlcalledsandoz]

No he's working hard and trying to get a promotion just now so wouldn't help him to go part time. I am actually enjoying being back at work, I like my job and colleagues and when on maternity leave realised being a SAHM is not for me ! just want more time and feel like I never see DD. she is only small once and don't want to miss out,

[JML80]

Hello, just wanted to offer some advice for all of you discussing and having troubles with Flexible working as I've done a bit of research.

Looking at www.monahans.co.uk/ and found this.

Monahans HR Managaer Peta Fry has given advice on this topic in saying:

The key point to remember is that the legislation only gives the right to request, not the right to demand flexible working. The business owner can still say no, under the current rules requests can be refused for the following reasons: the burden of additional costs; detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand; inability to recruit additional staff; inability to reorganise work among existing staff; detrimental impact on quality; detrimental impact on performance; insufficiency of work during the period the employee proposes to work; and planned structural changes. In fact, the changes will allow the employer to consider all requests "reasonably", exactly what this will look like hasn't been determined yet.

Many small businesses are often already adopting flexible working and employees work part-time, term-time only, job share, zero hours contracts, staggered start and finish times all of which allow the business to meets its requirements, and retain good quality employees. Making it a legal requirement to consider, for what many are already doing seems to be more the issue, with some business owners becoming concerned that this will allow employees to determine when they work and "demand" specific hours or work patterns.

It's about employers and employees working together to the benefit of the business. Flexibility if managed well with good communication, fairness and an openness to different approaches by all parties, can actually enhance businesses and allow it to meet and exceed customers expectations and offer opportunities that may not have come about by continuing to work in the ways the organisation has always operated.

This may or may not be of help.

But it's certainly worth a read!!!!

[Sarahplane]

could you and your colleague get together and approach them with the idea of a job share? so essentially you would be one full time member of Staff between you and then they could hire another full time person? They might be more willing to accept that suggestion and would have less legitimate grounds to refuse, also maybe also offer if possible that you could also cover each others holidays because then there would always be one of you in so a bonus for them.


I went back three days a week, work were a bit reluctant at first but I think agreed because they didn't want to loose me as I'm one of the most experienced staff. We then had a summer temp who asked about going part time as he was a student. This was agreed to only because
he offered to work the two days I'm off.

[Xenia]

agirl, you really are not missing out. I have five chidlren. I have not missed anything. there is night times if she's still night feeding or waking, mornings, all the weekends, holidays. It really is enough for many women and men. The reality of what you think you are missing is just more of the same. Seeing her after work and before it etc is often enough. I don't feel I missed anything that I regret at all and 3 of mine - the oldest have graduated now. You are missing hours of holding a cross child, toddler tantrums, endless clearing up of sick and mess and in due course you might miss the terribly dull boring school run. Adults who can afford it are very lucky indeed to miss a lot of this stuff.

[agirlcalledsandoz]

I suggested the job share idea to my colleague and my manager was all for it but she said she couldn't afford the drop in salary she wanted to do full time condensed into 4 days. Her request has now been refused but she's appealing.

well I certainly don't miss dirty nappies and cleaning up sick all day. It is getting easier the longer I do it and the other day my manager actually praised me saying I have come back full time and given it my all with no bad grace which us in my favour.