would you be annoyed if a new person at work did this

[durdur]

I have started a new FT job. DH became redundant just after I got this job which now means I have to do the school run and dh used to work completely remote from home anyway so this was never an issue for us.

So I've asked to reduce my hours to fit in with school times.
I have only been there a few weeks. Would they refuse? I would leave if they did as we need one of us to do the drop off and pick ups.

I honestly feel bad for asking to reduce my hours.

Have any of you thought about that lazy DH of mine who can't be bothered doing the any childcare might just be looking after the kids whilst I work at home.

Then why on earth do you need to WFH at all?

kidscreatemess you sound like a great manager who are like bloody gold dust!

OP people who can’t get flexible/remote working begrudge others having it or even asking for it if the replies on this thread are anything to go by!
Delighted your manager was understanding. It is always worth asking!

Wow, I want to work somewhere where flexible working is granted with a quick chat with my manager!

If your H can look after the kids why do you need to work from home? I thought he had a long commute but will be home by what, 4.30 or 5pm?

I think some of you have got lost and think you're on aibu some needlessly nasty and jealous posts.
There is more flexibility towards working from home after the events this year. Maybe the boss sees the longer term that they would rather try this than start again training a new person.
You don't know what the job is or why they said yes, but you could be pleased it works for the op.
Hope the school holidays aren't going to throw a spanner in the works for you op. I'm glad your manager has been helpful.

@durdur

Why do you all have massive assumptions that I'm working and looking after my kids at the same time?

Have any of you thought about that lazy DH of mine who can't be bothered doing the any childcare might just be looking after the kids whilst I work at home.

You might think it's unbelievable but I honestly find most of the replies on this thread unbelievable.

Probably because you said he's out at work all day, can't work from home, and that if he did the school run he'd not get to work until 10.45 - which presumably means his work is at least a 1 hour 45 journey from the kids' school, meaning he is unlikely to be home early at the end of the day?

Do explain all the relevant info that's been missed. You're good at that.

PullTheBricksDown he's at work all day, yes but not for 24 hrs! I didn't realise that i left that detail out! 😂

I'm so glad it's resolved. I have no idea why people got so angry about this. Best of luck in the role, and to your DH too

If it is work that can be done at any time then that'll work ok.

No ones angry about the idea of flexible working. I (and my DH fwiw) both work part time and flexibly around our kids. We don’t, however, expect to be allowed to wfh while looking after said kids.

What’s making people angry is the OP’s arrogance, sense of entitlement and tendency to ignore very reasonable questions and comments that don’t fit with the narrative she’s trying to create.

Again OP, if your husband will be looking after the kids why do you need to be working at home? If he has such a long commute how can he be getting home in time to look after them while you work in the afternoon? Your story simply doesn’t make sense. If any of this is true I hope you’ve been more upfront and transparent with your astoundingly understanding and appreciate BRAND NEW manager than you have been on here. Good luck to you, you’ll need it with your attitude!

OP you're going to get lots more advice about how to deal with this, whilst people are getting more upset and cross about what you/your DH are/are not doing.

May I be the first to say Cancel the cheque 

@GeorginaTheGiant

No ones angry about the idea of flexible working. I (and my DH fwiw) both work part time and flexibly around our kids. We don’t, however, expect to be allowed to wfh while looking after said kids.

What’s making people angry is the OP’s arrogance, sense of entitlement and tendency to ignore very reasonable questions and comments that don’t fit with the narrative she’s trying to create.

Again OP, if your husband will be looking after the kids why do you need to be working at home? If he has such a long commute how can he be getting home in time to look after them while you work in the afternoon? Your story simply doesn’t make sense. If any of this is true I hope you’ve been more upfront and transparent with your astoundingly understanding and appreciate BRAND NEW manager than you have been on here. Good luck to you, you’ll need it with your attitude!

This.

@durdur

Update!!! I feel I need to end this bloody thread!

Well, thankfully my manager doesn't think like most of you! She was absolutely lovely about it and understanding! She didn't want to lose me as a valued member of the team and I was honestly absolutely delighted and soooo grateful.

The end.

Brilliant news! Well pleased for you, OP .

Yup.

Sorry - wrong thread.

It would be tricky in my team. We try to be flexible but most days there is someone finishing early or starting early. For instance, I finish early every other Friday and every Tuesday. I also start late every other Monday. Someone else finishes early the opposite Friday and Wednesdays. Its all worked out and slotted into place.

If someone needed to finish early or start late every day then it would take away the flexibility for everyone else. It would be OK once or twice a week but every day wouldn't be an option unfortunately.

You're far from the first mother who's had to mess around an employer in this way. Just tell them. What will happen will happen.

You can't quite 'have it all'. They can't quite have all of you. That's how it goes. Hope you find an income between the two of you.

@durdur this thread has been bonkers; I'm glad your new manager was able and happy to be flexible.

Yes, I would be annoyed. I interviewed someone for a full time post, who then asked for reduced hours after being offered the post.
If it was a part time post, we would have advertised it as such.
You have very little choice though, possibly explain and maybe they could entertain it as a temporary measure.

Any chance you could get one of the other mothers to drop off and pick up for you. Offer to pay

Just be very apologetic, explain your circumstances and acknowledge the request isn't ideal and maybe offer to have a working lunch until you can work out some child care options but explain that your DH finding another job so soon was unexpected.

We're in a pandemic and life is very difficult for everyone so if I was a manager I would give flexibility if I could but be prepared for the possibility that they can't and you may end up looking for another post.

It's all sorted. OP has had it agreed with her manager.

Wow! The hate in the replies on this thread are unbelievable!
So happy for you OP.
The responses just highlight the institutionalised problems for working families and why there are so many glass ceilings for mothers.
I've been a manager and this request wouldn't have bothered me at all, and if it could be accommodated I would have happily agreed.
I've worked for two separate organisations during lock down, one private and one public. Both have been extremely accommodating, especially for working families, allowing working from home until late at night if necessary.
I'm my experience, one PT dedicated worker is worth 10 times more than one FT half arsed employee.
Maybe all the jealous posters are contributing to the problems in work places and making managers scared to approve such requests. I mean what does it even matter if work is covered anyway.

Yep, Id be annoyed, and if you insisted on it, Id probably get rid of you. I know its harsh, but a company exist to create profit, not to fit in around your needs. Would be different if you made this clear at the interview.