To ask to amend my hours? Please help!

[TheWorldAccordingToJC]

I started a new job almost 7 weeks ago. It's with one of the UKs biggest retailers with a reputation for treating staff well.

I've behaved impeccably ( err I think! ) and always been punctual and done the job well and been keen to pitch in. I've done two lots of overtime so far when asked , to be as flexible as possible.

My issue is this ... My hours are 2-7pm Monday to Friday. These hours suit the department I believe although there are over 200 staff members in my branch alone. I like these hours but unfortunately my 7 year old doesn't.

In the past three weeks he's been very unsettled and is currently being assessed for autism / aspergers. I'm not getting home until 7.30 and he's really missing me being there after school . He's going to a family members home straight from school and he loves that and then my partner collects him at 5pm. My partner is not his dad, although their relationship is great and my son loves him and as well all live together obviously knows him well!

But it's not the same for my son as me boing there and I've noticed his behaviour deteriorating. I instinctively feel that I should be there.

So my question! Do you think AIBU to ask my manager if he could possibly consider amending my hours from 2-7 to 12-5?

I can't work out if I'm over thinking this or if it's a terrible imposition and an awful thing to ask when I've only been there a short time. I'm really stressed about my son being assessed so maybe I'm young myself in knots about something I don't need to? It's only a polite request for consideration but in my head, it seems like a massive ask!

Please help

Btw, the assessment for my DS has only happened in the past few weeks. I didn't know this prior to starting the job that the school would be starting the ball rolling with this

You are allowed to submit a flexible working request, but the employer isn't obliged to agree to it. I would stress the pluses of your idea - is it busier over lunchtime so you can be an extra body, how they can manage without you between 6 and 7 etc.

Is 12 - 5 one of the other shifts that is commonly worked? If so, then asking is not unreasonable. Do you have a trial period though? If you do, I'd wait until after that finished.

well you can only ask, they will say yes or no. I work for a major retailer started 7 weeks ago as well, they have been flexible on my hours and I now finish on hour earlier than I was contracted for originally.

There's no harm in asking.

Yes it's a three month probation and I was going to wait.

I then thought.. How annoying for a manager to issue a permanent contract and immediately the employee turns round and asks to amend it? If I was a manager I think I'd want a member of staff to talk to me as soon as an issue came up. I think ...

Thanks all.

I'm just worried it might count against me or that it's a really irritating thing to ask.

Like I said, I'm stressed right now and worried about my son and my mind isn't thinking as clearly as it usually does

You can only ask if it's possible. They may be okay.

If they can't accommodate the request, do you have a back up plan, or would you leave?

Personally I'd wait at least 3 months unless you get/are at the point where you'll quit rather than leave your son after school. He could settle down - 3 weeks into a new routine isn't very long. Can your family member and dh step up their game a bit - chuck a few more treat activities he likes in, more hugs etc? I'd revise that, try a few things there first. Id you think the employer honestly won't mind otoh, it could be worth an informal chat to gauge reaction?

Do you have a union in your workplace? I would imagine if it is a big retailer USDAW would have some sort of presence. They will be able to give you some advice on how to approach your manager. As Peter says above, you have the right to submit a request for flexible working, but they do not have to accept of it doesn't fit in with the needs of the business. However, if you can give them as much background as to why you need the change - affecting your son, you are his primary carer etc, then you may be able to appeal to their better nature. I am a union rep and also work for a major national (food) retailer too.

I wouldn't leave, I'd just continue as I was and wait for my son to settle. I just feel strongly that I should be at home earlier than I am. Like I said, I don't want to do less hours , I'd just like to shift them a bit. Even 1-6 would be much better!

Gen - yes part of me thinks I should wait. Then I also think what's wrong with an informal chat ? I won't be all emotional and demanding... I'd explain the situation and ask if consideration could be given, but, if not , that's fine

You could ask.

Even if they can't do it straight away, the current staff won't always be there - it may be that a vacancy for an earlier shift will come up and thay may be able to move your shift.

As long as you are just asking if it would be possible, I can't see what harm it would do.

I can't see the harm in an informal chat, at any point if done nicely and left if you get a very negative reaction (then you can consider next steps). I wouldn't start anything formal this early though unless I got a positive reaction from the chat. Especially as I can see it'll make your life better in the long run to finish earlier so not going away.

You won't know unless you ask them

Having worked in HR in a large store, I think you may be overcomplicating things if you start worrying about flexible working etc. You are just asking to change your shift, if that doesn't pose a problem for the store. Unless your manager is a real dick (or you have a tantrum if he says no!), there shouldn't really be any negative outcome.

What time does your work close? Maybe they need a certain number people at the end of the day to tidy, so that's why you're on the later shift?

I work in retail and we close at 5. The same people do the 1.30-5.30 shift and if one of them asked to finish at 4.30 that would be one less person at closing time, which would impact on everyone else.

We work around 20 hours out of 24, place closes at 9pm and is open seven days a week. It's a huge food retailer with people doing all sorts of hours ranging from 4 a week to full time.

I would just have an informal chat with your manager to see what they think about you working from 12 to 5. You never know, they might be very happy with the idea.

No harm in asking. Just be polite.

I have just taken on a new member of staff. She hasn't even started yet but has hit a problem with her childcare. She asked (politely) if it would be possible to amend her hours slightly (same number, just structured differently). We said yes, it really wasn't a problem. If there had been any difficulties I would have said no and she would then have had to decide if she could cope with the hours as was or if she needed to refuse the job. Honestly, her asking was not an issue for us - much better than her being distracted at work because she hadn't wanted to ask but was worried.

I'd ask politely and in a non-pushy way now.

Worth asking.
They might even say they can manage some days and not others.

Yes I would ask. In fact, ask about asking iykwim

"What are the chances of me getting different hours if I asked for them?"

They can only say "no" can't they?

Good luck!

If you ask politely I can't see how it would damage your relationship unless you have given them a reason to dislike you. I would def say to ask ASAP as if they say yes without issue you'll kick yourself for not asking earlier.

Do you know of a specific alternative shift pattern that would work better for you that you could feel out the possibility of being moved onto?