Flexible working question - not obliged to answer?

I would ask for this question to be removed from the form and fill it out then. A quick call with HR to ask for the most updated form following the change in law should alert them to the fact they need to update it.

She won't answer the question about why she's (semi-)bothering, I've already asked.

Honestly, just put "N/A" and leave it be. If they ask why you put it in there, you explain that you assume the form hasn't yet been updated following the change in law. Let them work that one out.

@Difficile what flexibility do you want

I suspect she already is and is trying to build a case for tribunal.

You sound like your approaching it from a petulant child attitude.

if your leaving anyway why bother?

if that question wasn’t on the form I’d be adding it back in because I’d want to convince them it would work!!

are you using this process to make a point or something?

No I wouldn’t write that, it is quite important to consider the impact on the business / team and it only takes a few minutes to list any impact. For example reducing my hours obviously has an impact on my team however showing I considered what days other people in my team worked to lessen the impact on the business helped in my case (for example person A has a Monday off so I’d work a Monday and have a Tuesday off so there would always be someone to cover the work).
If you go in looking like you don’t really care about the business at all isn’t really favourable.

God, you sound difficult. Be careful you don't find yourself being performance-managed out the door with that sort of attitude.

Remember - you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar

@Difficile how could improving your lifestyle not affect your employer?

You sounds hard work. And if even half the attitude that comes across in your posts is also coming across at work, they will be delighted to turn your request down so that you leave.

If you don't try to play the game, you won't get your request in. It seems pretty simple.

Build a relationship with your employer and dance the dance, you're more likely to get a positive outcome.

If you, don't be surprised you'll get a no. I manage a team, and an answer like that would immediately get my back up and assume I was dealing with an entitled child, gen Zer or something. I'd assume I was going to have big problems and be more inclined to decline.

Just email HR and request an updated form for you to complete

@Difficile by law I don't have to be helpful or smiley in the workplace.

Whilst your stance is technically correct, it has been pointed out again and again on this thread that your approach is unlikely to help you achieve what you want. You have responded mostly in a very abrupt and difficult manner to anyone who has tried to help you. You really have lived up to your user name.

If you are similarly difficile at work, as a manager, I'd be looking to manipulate two to three of the business reasons to decline your request. For a helpful and user friendly employee I'd be looking at adjustments. If you leave, they may be able to recruit a less difficile employee and in this market, for less money.

Don't really see the point in you asking the question OP. You know it's not a legal requirement to put the impact on the form - you have nointention of doing so, so why ask what people think to then argue you're not doing it anyway!

You do have the right to appeal if they reject it and you disagree.

There is no legal right of appeal, it is only best practice

I reckon OP is trying for constructive dismissal.

Ps I think you should complete the form properly, I think employers should consider flexible working, if it can be accommodated then it makes business sense to have happy employees.

So good luck with it.

You don't have to use the form, as long as it's in writing.just follow the ACAS code of practice.

You sound quite difficult so do what you want really

Yes you might be right but do you actually want them to approve it or not?

Like others said, work with them. You seem very aggressive about it.

Do you deep down know that your request would have a massive impact on others? If so, think of ways you can lessen it. It’s in your advantage to head off issues, not theirs.

This doesn't make any sense. If you believe it's a waste of time then putting it in at all is futile. If you think it might make a difference then put in as much effort as you can.

A middle ground of filling it in half-heartedly is stupid in both scenarios.

The more arsey you are the less likely they are to try and help you.

Given that you supposedly know it will be rejected I wouldn’t even bother doing the form.

If you do think there’s a chance and you want the flexibility, it’d be worth your while to spend a bit of time on it to get around any objections they may have.

So? you're asking them for a favour, in that they said they would normally reject these requests.

The form is an opportunity for you to explain from your point of view how it will impact the team, I would expand on the impact in both positive and negative ways, it sounds like they can only see the negatives. Working different hours for example might mean there's cover outside the usual times. Needing to hand over work to people for times when you're not there will mean better knowledge transfer. Make it a positive thing and it's less likely they will just reject out of hand.