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Original poster

Is this cheeky to ask in new job?

80 replies

Cheepcheepchirp · 07/07/2025 20:08

Nearly 3 months into a new job. I’ve almost completed my training and so far feedback has been very positive. I’ve been a SAHM for last decade and I’m dreading school holidays and not being able to spend it with my kids. I didn’t realise they’d still want to spend as much time with me!
I do 3x 8-5.30, plus 6 hours (when kids are in bed). I’ve planned eldest DC doing their own thing and youngest in holiday club those 3 days but I’d much rather work 2 long days, just for the summer hols.
I would take it unpaid (prefer not) and only have a couple days AL left.
Am I cheeky to ask and if not, what can I suggest?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
thetooththewholetooth · 15/08/2025 14:55

JennyBG · 08/07/2025 21:45

Am I wrong in thinking that employers can’t refuse a request for flexible working?

You're wrong

lizzyBennet08 · 15/08/2025 14:50

I wouldn't . They're still Assessing you as an employee. You're not even out of your probation period.

Coffeetime25 · 15/08/2025 10:37

did you know there would be school holidays beforehand or did this information come out of the blue are you expecting child free colleagues to pick up the slack

BizzyLizzyandLittleMo · 09/07/2025 16:02

Really pleased for you Op. So many negative, narrow minded and sneery people on here saying you should be grateful for your 4 days off. I’m the same always wanted to spend as much time as possible with my child and if that meant less work and less pay then so be it, they’re only young once. Many companies have flexible working policies these days and everywhere is different so definitely worth asking, or as in your case, asking without asking. I wouldn’t stay in a job where it was frowned upon to even broach it - if it’s a no then so be it but to my mind it would be pathetic to sack someone for it.

MrsKateColumbo · 09/07/2025 10:27

Great news OP!

Itsfinallyhappening · 09/07/2025 10:26

For the sake of 6 annual leave days, I’d just book them off - if you can that is! It’s really not worth risking your job for.

Depends also if your place has a limit as to how many people can be off at any time - everyone wants time off in summer holidays when they have kids so don’t be that person who thinks ‘more entitled’ to it than members of your team who don’t have school age kids

We have a maximum of 2 of our team allowed off at any time although we have a 2 day crossover next month where 3 of us are off

pushthebuttonnn · 09/07/2025 09:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

SaturdayDream · 09/07/2025 09:40

Yabu. You took the job knowing the hours so to try and change it so early on is unacceptable imo.

Swiftie1878 · 09/07/2025 09:33

JennyBG · 08/07/2025 21:45

Am I wrong in thinking that employers can’t refuse a request for flexible working?

Yes. Very wrong.

Swiftie1878 · 09/07/2025 09:33

Cheepcheepchirp · 08/07/2025 19:09

At tea break this morning it came up in conversation what everyone’s summer plans are. I explained what I’d love and the centre manager suggested I work my hours over the year! I was happy to take it unpaid (I earn very well indeed) but now don’t need to.
It’s true that if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

No wonder it’s so hard to get a counsellor these days! How does this work for your patients?

Pr1mr0se · 09/07/2025 09:27

You can ask but they may say no and then what are your options? You need a viable Plan B just in case. I wouldn't bank on Hufflemuff's advice as a Plan B that wouldn't back fire.

ClaredeBear · 08/07/2025 22:31

JennyBG · 08/07/2025 21:45

Am I wrong in thinking that employers can’t refuse a request for flexible working?

They must consider it but the can refuse.

JennyBG · 08/07/2025 21:45

Am I wrong in thinking that employers can’t refuse a request for flexible working?

yakkity · 08/07/2025 20:18

Cakeandusername · 07/07/2025 20:16

3 months in I wouldn’t, are you still in probation. You work 3 days so 4 days off with dc. That’s a good balance. Easy to swap childcare with another mum so she’ll have yours one day and you take hers on your day off some weeks. You could book a few days annual leave too.

Or another dad hey? 😉

VictoriaSponge987 · 08/07/2025 20:11

ilovesooty · 07/07/2025 20:41

They can let her go during her probation if they perceive her to be unreliable.

Show quote history

I would see through that immediately and be very unimpressed. Bring cheeky and asking is one thing. Lying is a whole different moral category for me. If I was a manager who experienced this it would affect my judgment of that person and I’d reflect it in redundancy decisions and pay reviews.

ClaredeBear · 08/07/2025 19:54

Cheepcheepchirp · 08/07/2025 19:09

At tea break this morning it came up in conversation what everyone’s summer plans are. I explained what I’d love and the centre manager suggested I work my hours over the year! I was happy to take it unpaid (I earn very well indeed) but now don’t need to.
It’s true that if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Excellent result, I’m so glad it worked out for you!

Original poster
Cheepcheepchirp · 08/07/2025 19:09

At tea break this morning it came up in conversation what everyone’s summer plans are. I explained what I’d love and the centre manager suggested I work my hours over the year! I was happy to take it unpaid (I earn very well indeed) but now don’t need to.
It’s true that if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

OP posts:
Maowt · 08/07/2025 19:02

Someone at my old work tried to ask for similar. But they asked for every school holiday of unpaid. But they were part of a 3 person team. They had no answer as to who was going to do their work 13 weeks of the year. They obviously got told no, then started calling in sick every school holiday. They were let go eventually.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 08/07/2025 18:52

Don't take the piss and do your job.

Boreded · 08/07/2025 18:33

@Cheepcheepchirp

not sure the nature or grade of your work, but if it isn’t something highly paid or highly skilled then look at places like Amazon who offer term time working

Boreded · 08/07/2025 18:32

BlueMum16 · 07/07/2025 20:19

How on earth can you fit an extra 9 hours into 2 days? It sounds like you are already working 11 hours days -ish?

You've started a new job with contracted hours. Book annual leave if you need it off.

Read the post…she said she will take it unpaid

WimbyAce · 08/07/2025 18:30

Should have looked for a term time contract if you wanted to do this. Most of us have to work school hols.

ginasevern · 08/07/2025 18:17

Honestly OP, no I wouldn't ask unless it was a desperate situation - which it isn't. It will not reflect well on you. It shouldn't work like that, but it does.

HarperValley · 08/07/2025 18:07

I do four shorter days in term time and then three long days in school holiday time which my employer was happy to facilitate, works well and saves a lot in holiday club fees. I had been there a good few years before I suggested it though, and with a lot of notice before I wanted it to start. I don’t think three months in with a few weeks notice would have gone down well at all. (And from the timings you’ve mentioned I’m not sure how possible it would be without dropping hours anyway)

Rollergirl999 · 08/07/2025 18:01

Yes it is cheeky after 3 months

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