To ask about flexible working hours at an interview?

[lilyb84]

At my current job I work through lunch so I can fit in my 7-7.5 hour day and still do childcare drop offs and pick ups. I have an interview this week - is it appropriate to ask then about the employer's flexible working arrangements or is that something you bring up if you're offered the role?

I wouldn't be able to do the job if I didn't have some flexibility as I live and work in London and the commute is too long and unpredictable. It's an office job, so no shifts, 35 hours a week.

If it helps, I used to work in HR so I feel fairly confident that this is not something you should bring up before at least the interview stage.
Many managers will use it as an excuse to discount you from the running if they feel you may need flexibility/have caring responsibilities etc.

This is one of the many myriad reasons why there is still a pay gap and sex discrimination still exists. Not only are women more likely to need flexibility because of their role as primary carers, but they're also more likely to provide this information needlessly to prospective employers out of some misguided attempt to be 'nice' or 'not waste anyone's time'.

You're not wasting their time. If they offer you the job, it's because you are the best person for the role. It's then completely appropriate at that stage to start negotiating ways in which you can fulfil the role and also any other responsibilities you have.

Obviously if there is a complete clash and it's not possible, then fair enough, but in most jobs, flexibility is entirely possible and achievable.

Definitely DON'T ask until you've been offered the job.
If you mention it up front, you are given them a reason not to offer you the role.
If they love you and really want you, the time to ask about flexible working hours is when you have been offered a role and are negotiating pay etc.

I'm starting to feel a bit like applying for jobs when having dc under 1 is a bit stupid. I'm too knackered for this interview and no time to prepare, god knows how I'd cope with a new job if I did get it!! It only just occurred to me that mentioning this at interview might not be reasonable... but I want out of my current job so, so badly.

I guess arguably since I might not need too much flexibility (depending on whether or not DH gets a job soon), I could hold off and then should I get an offer, mention it then as my circumstances may well have changed?

Maybe I'll sleep on it.

As it's not totally impossible, I would wait until after the interview, tbh.
As you say your dh is unemployed at the moment, and also that you haven't asked / investigated if your CM could do it (or if there are other options) - I'd worry about it as and when your dh was offered his next job. After all, maybe his job might offer some flexibility.
It seems silly to start off with 'demands' that you don't actually need at the moment.

Okay, 20 mins then - but that's a paid break

It's definitely unpaid. I do 32.5 hours, technically that's 8-3 with a 1/2 hour break over 5 days, so the 1/2 hour I'm supposed (contracted) to have is unpaid. The 20 mins I'm legally supposed to take is also unpaid.

i disagree it put you in a stronger position, i often have 2 i like so if 1 turns the offer down ive got someone else in mind.

it may depend on the sector - hard to recruit for then more likely to succeed holding them to ransom as it were, easy to recruit for? pretty risky imo and ime.

id word a question in the interview like "whats the culture like here?" and see what they reveal

Wankers really? I thought employers had to offer you the legal break within paid hours! I clearly know nothing.

Thanks acorns, swears and enid, opinion seems to be leaning towards not saying anything now and you all make good points.

Gah that's a good tip, I was already thinking of asking something along those lines. It's an industry I'm familiar with and an organisation I used to deal with in a similar, related industry so am fairly confident it'll be relaxed but don't know how that will apply to working hours. In an ideal world I'd do slightly reduced hours 4 days a week then work from home to make up the difference one day a week but that's asking a lot!

I wouldn't jump the gun about asking them pre-interview. You haven't had many responses and they sound a bit one sided. I think it would be best to go to interview, and try and blow their socks off first so that they definately want you. Then, at end of interview raise the flexible working as something you might require. It's not asking the earth, I wish you every success.

If you can't do the hours they want it's better to ask beforehand than waste the interviewers time if they can't accommodate. It may mean someone who actually can do what they want misses out on an interview.

Following, as in a similar position.

Looks like that 20 minute break could be paid or unpaid:

www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/overview

I've obviously had nice employers in the past as would often have 1 or 2 15-min breaks paid, then an hour's unpaid lunch. My current job has working hours which essentially equal 7.25 working hours each day and a 45 minute unpaid lunch, then an hour's lunch break one day a week. I used to work in retail though so things may have been different there.

Thanks bunny!

sheldon the thing is I may well be able to do the hours, provided I can work flexibly - eg work through breaks or start and finish early or work a day from home. I'm not asking to be part time! And I don't know without asking if they have core hours etc or what their attitude is to flexibility.

Lily being paid for it would be great but unfortunately not. I'd definitely go for the interview as you are clearly fitting their brief. I'd add in an extra question at the end (or during the interview if the opportunity arises) about what benefits come with the job e.g. bonus schemes, flexible working, the ability to buy extra holidays, medical cover etc. and just see what they say. You can then say what you've been doing and how that seems to work well for all. Shy bairns get nae sweeties.

As your DH isn't currently working, it's not an immediate issue. And his job may end up being more flexible than yours. Don't assume you'll be the one with flexible working, there's no reason it can't be him (unless he's a shift worker or something)

Discuss potential flexibility at the interview, but emphasis the benefit to the employer rather than "I need x y z"

Then your specific needs at the offer stage, along with salary

Thanks wankers. Don't know how parents in London manage (or those with long commutes elsewhere). To compound it we need to move in a few months and depending on where we end up that will change things all over again!

Thanks all for your comments, much appreciated as my sleep deprived brain isn't capable of much yet. Think I need all the luck possible for this interview...! Hope those of you in similar positions have great interviews and get the jobs you want.

Thanks harder, I think I can justify being vague given DH's situation as you say!

An interview is a two way process, ask then.

Thanks Francis, I need to know about childcare vouchers too - good reminder.

I think a 15 minute break after 5 hours is the legal requirement - lunch break is unpaid.

It's 20 mins if you work at least 6 hours.

I asked about flexible hours after the first interview in my last 2 jobs and got it both times. I think they need to want you before they give flexibility true consideration.

I asked about flexible hours at interview for my current job & as they offered me the job I assume this wasn't seen as a terrible problem. I seem to remember phrasing it as a fairly general question rather than 'I will need x, y & z'.

For general office roles if you are a strong candidate it really shouldn't be a barrier as long as you can meet core hours

Interesting topic. I work p/t and have reasonable adjustments due to ill health and child care responsibilities. My place of work recruited another part time member of staff. She accepted the job offer then tried to negotiate flexible hours (mid day mid week she doesn't like working Fridays or Mondays!!!). On day one in the job she informed me she was just trialling the hours she had been given for three months then she was going to see if anyone (only myself and another p/t co worker) wants to swap days or hours with her.
She works odd hours some days at the minute 5 and 6 hour days. Doesn't take an unpaid lunch break yet one of the first things she asked me when I was training her was where was the kitchen as she wanted to heat some soup up at lunch time!?! Fair enough maybe having no lunch break if you are eating fruit or a sandwich from your bag at your desk but surely if your waking 100 metres to a kitchen, heating soup up, eating soup (can't easily type at a computer) then going out to wash your bowl surely this equates to half an hour?!? The rest of us have to take an hours unpaid lunch in the middle of the day. One of my days is a 6 hour day 9-4 (with an unpaid hour lunch in the middle).
How do you manage lunch OP surely you must eat something in the working day?
For the sake of your co workers I would phone up before the the interview or discuss this at the interview.