work and other staff

[emz12]

hi all this is my first ever thread..

my question to you all is what would you do in my situation..

i am a single mum my sons farther has nothing to do with us... i work in a local shop 16 hours a week and overtime when needed... 90% of the staff work 4/6 hour shifts only the supervisors are full time... i have one shift that i am struggling with my sunday morning... my dad looks after my son from 5 pm sat night till after 11 sunday morning cos i do sat 6 till 10 ( this shift isnt a problem) however my dad is finding it hard to do sunday as well... so i spoke to my boss who has ignored me so i put in a flexable working request ...at this point i should point out im the only member of staff who needs childcare and has a child younger than 14.... since this has happened i have been ignored by certain staff and spoken to like dirt..also like to point out that i have asked when old staff have left to swap before boss put out for new staff... some of the women who i have to say are all married and have children over 14 have been the worse saying i should go back on to benefits this however isnt an option as im not entitled to go back on income support and if i give up my job even with childcare problems it would be my own fault and i may not be entitled to any help as told by a job center advisor... what would you all do im looking for another job but i live in the middle of no where and jobs are few and far between should i put in a complaint to my higher boss should i just walk or should i stick it out.... im in a state i cant sleep i keep crying even when im at work i feel depressed please any advice would be welcome

[SilkandSteel]

Hi, most definitely no expert but believe an employer is legally obliged to consider a flexible working request. But you may find you get more and better informed responses if you re-post on the employment issues board :)

[emz12]

ok thank u

[northerngirl41]

Well on one level you may be entitled to ask for special treatment, but it won't do you any favours with your colleagues. I'd imagine working first thing on a Sunday is not a popular shift for anyone.

Is there another unpopular shift which you could volunteer to cover for all the time, in order to get out of doing the Sunday morning one? Maybe a Friday night or first thing Saturday morning instead. That would make it fairer on the rest of the staff and would mean that you are pulling your weight and not asking for special treatment.