new job but not being told working hours or days in advance. Childcare nightmare.

[whattodowho]

I've been bleating on here before about a job I was offered last week. Told the woman at interview that I had 2 small children (this came up when I explained why I'd left previous fulltime job because of childcare logistics). Was offered the job. I accepted but said I needed to know quite soon the days/hours I need to work. It is a part-time job, 22 hours a week.

Met with new line manager (had to give her security forms I'd filled in) and asked her again about working hours. She said she'd let me know. I explained again about how I need to know to sort out childcare. Had an email from her today saying when could I start the job. I replied saying what days to you want me to start. Seems like a reasonable request to me. If it was a fulltime job then I'd expect to turn up Monday morning and work until Friday. With part-time it's obviously different.

She sent a very vague reply along the lines of 'maybe start Wednesday afternoon and then to a session on Thursday night and maybe a Friday morning'. No mention of start time.

I'm getting really pissed off tbh. I made it clear during and after the interview I have children and need to sort out childcare. She knows this. I made it clear when I met her and in follow-up emails that I need to know my working hours. Why can't she just tell me? She's the one who prepares the rota for the organisation I'm meant to be working at. She's the one who is filling the vacancy (current member of staff is changing jobs) so she must know when she needs me to work.

It's really stressing me out. It's hard enough trying to sort out childcare but when you can't get a firm answer out of someone... This woman doesn't have any children which makes me anxious as she obviously doesn't appreciate what it means to be a working mother ie arranging childcare. And anyway even if I didn't have children how many other people wanting to work part-time (because they have other committments) can accept a job with vague timings...

Now thinking this is not the job for me. I have been offered an interview for a another job which actually gives the working patterns.

YANBU - many many people have childcare to consider when working. I would send an email asking for exact hours as you need to book childcare TODAY. Without the exact times required you will be unable to work. Emphasise how upsetting you would find this and that you genuinely want the job but need to be able to plan ahead.

I really hope you get this sorted!

Call her and say you need to know the hours now (as in, during the phonecall) or you won't be able to commit to the job. And definitely go to the other interview regardless.

I would take it into my own hands and email the days and times you want to do and ask if that is ok with her. But politely.

Take the initiative

I agree with Dolcegusto, I had to do pretty much that in my current role. It's not a service poviding/customer facing role and I'm the only me in the team and it was a brand new role when I was offered the position so no one really knew what they were doing. I asked several times when they wanted me to work and got no straight answer so in the end went to them with my idea and agreed.

unfortunately I'm not able to choose my own hours, the job is in a prison and involves face-to-face contact with prisoners. I have just had an email confirming the days/hours required and unfortunately it complicates matters even more.

They want me to spread the 21 hours over 4 days, with me commuting to the prison (35 mins each way by car and then 10 mins on 'park and ride as there is nowhere to park in the town or 50 mins each way by train) to work a three hour session. By the time I pay out for childcare and fuel I wont be earning enough to cover my expenses. Would be much better for me to spread all 21 hours over 3 days.

I just wish the working patterns had been made clear in the job advert/interview/follow-up meeting.

I doubt there is anything official regarding working patterns, but in the last two jobs I have had, and in my DH's, it has been considered normal and reasonable to expect nothing less than a four hour shift. It has to be worth your while after all, especially if you have a long commute.

God I hate this I so want this job and I desperately need the cash, DH and I barely keeping our heads above water. It always comes down to the childcare. Oh the heady days of being able to work whenever an employer needed me too, now I'm restricted by the dc's who I love more than anything but god it makes working impossible sometimes trying to revolve work around after school clubs, nurseries, breakfast clubs.

DH cannot help at all - he leaves the house at 7am and returns at 7pm 5 days a week for his 3hr round commute into work.

I feel so so depressed.

I've had a similar problem, I'm a student on a work placement, I can imagine when I do start working I will be doing so just to pay a nursery. That thought fills me with dread Everytime!

I hope something comes along!

Thanks katespade lets hope something comes along for both of us!

I really feel for you - I have enough stress not being able to make arrangements on the weekend because of dc's ever-changing sports fixtures!

I am worried for you about this thread though - I think you/your situation could be recognisable and I'd consider taking it down.

Can you go for the other interview?

If working over 4 days would be a deal breaker then could you say that you will only be able to take up the post if it is over 3 days, which was the indication that you were given at the interview?

catsareevil yes I have asked to do this, waiting to hear back and yes I will be going to the other interview.

I just think its bloody unreasonable to offer someone a job with no idea about what hours they want you to work!

do they have a flexible working policy might be worth contacting the HR department about that. I,m a nurse and even though we do have flexible working policies in nhs getting managers to honour them can be a nightmare. I work 37.5 hrs over a four day week two 12 hr shiftsand two eight hr shifts [1 hr unpaid break on 12hrshift and 1/2 hr unpaid break un 8 hr shift]. My dh also works shifts in a warehouse he does week of earlies and week of lates so i work late shifts on his earlies vice versa and my long days on his days off in theory anyway we have had some nightmare clashes good luck!!

It is bloody unreasonable, whattodowho, and she sounds like the sort of disorganised, useless line manager that would be a bit of a pita to work for tbh

Whattodo, you should phone or email her and say that you need your hours over three days otherwise you can't do it. Be assertive. (I did with a job I've just been offered and it's gone in my favour). State your conditions. It sounds like you want this job so fight for it - on your terms. Tell them if they can't meet your conditions (3 days not 4) you can't do it, and you need to know asap.

Good luck.

I agree with Fiendishlie, It doesn't sound like your line manager is at all interested in helping her staff. I have to ask though, Is your DH looking for another job? 3 hours every day is a lot of time to be away from the family home. I hope things work out for you anyway, perhaps the other job will be more suitable :)

What Mamamary said makes good sense. This woman sounds like a pita.
She is obviously used to dealing with prisoners and they are a "captive audience" (excuse pun) I think you need to show some independence and lay down the ground rules. She needs a reality check!

I also think you could be identified from this post.