Can work ask me to reduce my hours due to the lockdown and homeschooling?

[Bohemiann]

In the previous lockdown in March I worked for another employer so this was never raised but my manager has asked me if I will be needing to reduce my hours as I will be now home schooling my kids too.

I was taken aback by this and I told her no and that I would just work around it. She then asked me when will I be home schooling and when I will be working? It's not so set in stone. It depends on what the schoolwork is etc. I work in admin so my work doesn't need me to be available at set hours or anything.

I think it's fair for an employer to ask this. They won't want homeschooling and childcare to impact your work, so it makes sense to discuss your plans with them. I had to do this last lockdown to reassure my boss that I could tackle my job and childcare (just about).

It also sounds good of them to offer you to reduce your hours. For some parents that would be a huge lifeline. If you can juggle it all, then just confirm your plan, perhaps give them a rough schedule of your day to explain where you'll fit your hours in (such as starting early, working late, etc). One of my colleagues has just done this.

I appreciate the school work varies and the amount of time needed may vary too, but your manager obviously needs you to set out an intended structure.

I tend to say I'll start 90 minutes earlier, but take a break between 11.00 and 12.30 to home-school and prepare lunch. Then I will work until I home-school again between 2.00 and 3.00 and make up that hour at the end of the day. Obviously there are small queries and family things that crop up in between those times but they tend to only be a few minutes each.

Also, if you are trying to make up extra hours every night, it's exhausting and not ideal for your health. However, if you can't afford to reduce your hours and your workplace is flexible and will allow catch-up time in the evenings, then it's what a lot of people are having to do.

You could ask about flexible furlough, so some of your hours could be counted as furloughed when you're home-schooling - but the employer doesn't have to offer this.

I'd take the conversation as an indication that your employer is as concerned for your well-being as they are for your productivity.
They've not left you to struggle through. They've given you options. In return, they've asked you to indicate what work levels and hours you can commit to. I presume they'll need to cover your workload if you're not able to work your full hours.
Sounds like a thoughtful and efficient manager to me.

They should have to cut your hours though you can be furloughed on a part time basis

This sounds reasonable to me as I dont see how you can possibly work all your hours and homeschool unless you do your work in the evenings. I'm fed up of colleagues having their children around during calls or turning up late/never for meetings. I know it's hard to juggle and we are in the middle of a pandemic but your line manager has to make sure the work is done and the business copes so everyones jobs can survive this

My work is very flexible. I can so do my work around the kids school work and I am already saving so much time with no commute. They are asking me to reduce my hours in a "well how can you work, you'll need to reduce your hours" type of a thing.

10 months in to the pandemic and many companies are struggling and looking to be as cost-efficient as possible. It’s reasonable for companies to understand that they are paying you to work and not homeschool. Sorry if that sounds harsh. Flexible furlough is very helpful for businesses and employees at the moment.

Sounds to me like they are bring entirely reasonable and also looking after your best interest

Sounds absolutely standard to me.

Are you a FT employee, or PT? What days and hours do you usually work?

If you usually work 9-5 on 4 days a week, say, then of course it is entirely reasonable to assume that you're not going to be available to work your hours on those 4 days if you're also homeschooling and doing childcare supervision at the same time.

So then you either need to present a plan to your boss of how you will work your hours, or agree to reduce your hours.

I think it's really odd you think it's odd they want to know!

I think them asking/offering to reduce your hours could be seen as potentially helpful.

The way they've done it though sounds like discrimination based on the fact that you are a parent. It's none of their business how you manage it, just like they are not allowed to ask what you will do for childcare in a job interview. If you have a union I'd speak to them for advice. If not I'd reply formally in writing (copying in HR if you have them) saying that you do not require a reduction in hours and that continuing to quiz you about it could be viewed as discrimination based on a legally protected characteristic.

It's none of their business how you manage it, just like they are not allowed to ask what you will do for childcare in a job interview.

It really is their business if she's contracted to particular hours (as is usual practice) and not just on work outputted, because she's supposed to be devoting her time during those hours to paid employment, not childcare. I don't think you're correct in this? I'm not sure it's the same as asking at interview if you have children at all. Happy for someone to clarify if I'm wrong, though.