to think I should be able to go part time even though I don't have children

[suziepra]

Hi,

I worked really hard when I was younger, paid off most of my mortgage so my outgoings are small now.

I requested to go part time but they just fobbed be off with its not suitable with my job, even though other people doing similar jobs with kids got this approved.

I feel peeved as its generally the rule that children is the only valid reason to go part time, I just want to enjoy my life more.

When I signed on the job centre threatened to stop the JSA because I was only applying for part time and as someone without children im expected to only look for full time work!

Oops. Flexible working link.

YANBU. If you can afford to work part time, then why not?
And I agree about not applying for very low level jobs. When a supermarket opened near me recently there were 2000+ applicants for cashier/shelf stacker jobs. There are too many people needing those kinds of jobs, so if you can do something more skilled, then you should.
I wouldn't have mentioned at all to the job centre that I wanted part time though, especially as the best way to get reduced hours in a professional job is to start at full time.
And NorthernLurker-why does the OP need a reason to take time out? Maybe she is going to invent something in her shed, or start an online business, or an allotment. Maybe she is going to sit and look out of the window. What difference does it make?

If you don't think they have taken your flex working request seriously and have unduly refused you then use the appeal process. However if they can prove they refused you under one of the criterias set out by the legislation then you are at a dead end. Sorry.

unless you are claiming discrimination which is only possible if you feel its under the 7 PCs of the equality act

Thanks when.

NorthernLurker the jc never suggested I should do unskilled work, some people here did.

Thanks not, I'm not going to appeal it, its just a bit annoying. It just means I won't be looking to stay there long term and it is a long process to geta new job, would have to start full time then hope after a while I can go down to part .

Sorry for HG jacking this thread but its frustrating me. Suziepra will you be returning to this thread because we are wondering what your thoughts are on the comments following your post..

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2148354-to-think-voting-for-milliband-must-happen-to-save-the-country

But people with kids don't necessarily have to work part time..Many of them work full time.
And just because someone doesnt have children doesn't mean they automatically work full time.
The right to flexible working is most used by people(women usually) with children, but employers don't have a legal right to know why you make such a request do they?
There seems to be a bit of a moral pearl clutching at the idea of someone doing something for themselves, to make their own life nicer, rather than the usual martyrdom you often see on here.

Oh then you've just come on for a rant.