Help with flexible working application....

[superbabysmummy]

Ok Mums, please help. I am trying to complete my flexible working application and struggling to find a justifiable reason to work a 4 day week. I know it has to be childcare related and I can't say 'because I want to' on the application form.

In reality childcare full time won't be a problem, I earn enough to cover all kinds of childcare and it not leave me out off pocket & there are plenty available.

I am desperate to work part time so that I can spend time with DD and one day is all we can financially run to, I need to get this application approved, any advice/help/support would be appreciated.

[redskyatnight]

I assume you are applying for flexible working under your legal right to do so (i.e. you meet all the criteria for this?) If this is the case, you don't need to specify why you want to work flexibly - what you do need to consider is the effect on the business of you working flexibly and how they can mitigate this.

[flowery]

Do not spend any more than 10 seconds on that question, as it will have absolutely no bearing on whether your request is granted or not.

Just "to care for my DD" is fine.

Spend all your time and energy on the bits about how your request will work. How are you proposing to do your job in 4 days? Are you planning to make changes and improve efficiency so that you can get everything done in less time? Are you suggesting that some of your job needn't be done at all? How will you ensure your reduction in hours won't negatively impact either the business or your colleagues?

Focus on all those types of questions, to make it as close to impossible as you can for your employer to say no. They need to see clearly why you reducing hours is beneficial for them, and to see clearly that it will have no negative impact on their business at all.

[Mandy21]

Hi I agree with the other posters - its not about why you want to do it, its about how the business will be affected by it and if there is a perception that it will have a negative impact, how that can be avoided. Your application needs to guess what opposition the business will have, and address those concerns (i.e. not available for urgent client contact = I am more than happy for clients to have my work phone diverted to my mobile on the day I don't work / give mobile number out to clients etc).

I also think its worth saying it can be for a trial period so that you demonstrate your flexibility (obviously on the basis that they will find it very difficult to argue against it if you say they can say at the end of 3 months that its not working, but you make sure in the 3 months that it does work if you see what I mean!)