Flexible working request

[mrsb09]

I am currentley contracted to work 37.5 hours per week however am wanting to reduce this to 16 hrs when i return from mat leave..I have been told that if i want to return to my old role i must work at least 30 hours as the department is under review,they are short staffed and unable to recruit.After telling me this i find out they have just allowed a colleague to reduce her hours from 37.5 to 30 although she is in her 60's and does not have childcard issues..

I work in a call center in an admin role which i had an interview for.There are many other part timers in the team some of them working less than 30 hours. The managers have offered to see if they can accomodate me on another department or even put me back on the phones however i feel this is a step backwards.

My husband works 6 days a week and is out of the house from 8am-8pm,i do not feel comfortable putting my 8 month old in a nursery or childminder until he can walk and talk..

I have filled in a flexible working form and now have to go in for a formal meeting next thursday.. can anyone give me some advise on legally where i stand,if anywhere ?

Thanks

[flowerybeanbag]

You do have the right to request flexible working, but as long as your employer considers it properly, follows the right procedure and can give a decent business reason for refusing, they can refuse if necessary.

To give yourself the best chance of getting your request accepted, think of all the potential problems they would have with your request, and in your application make sure you have addressed them and proposed solutions to them.

You don't know the situation with your older colleague and she has not been allowed to reduce below 30 hours anyway. Similarly your other colleagues who may be working less hours may well have had those arrangements in place before the department was under review so that's not necessarily relevant.

Think of ways you might be able to compromise if at all possible to make it more likely that they will agree to your request.

Have a read of this useful factsheet which tells you all about different flexible working options, the law and building a good case.

[karenleigh]

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