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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Flexible work request denied

56 replies

Flex12 · 27/08/2018 21:01

Would you be annoyed if you had your flex working request denied (3 days a week) but someone else in the exact same role has recently been allowed to do this? I asked first, about a year ago and was refused. I continue to work full time. There is literally no difference between our jobs/roles/managers/purpose in the company or reason for asking (childcare). I work in sales if that makes a difference and have been in the job for over 15 years! I want to put in another request...aibu to think they cannot possibly refuse this time?

I realise that flex working is just a request, not a right. They are within their rights to say no of course. But this just seems so unfair!

OP posts:

Furx · 27/08/2018 21:48

Yep, this happened to me.

I actually did have a fantastic flexi work pattern, with a chunk of added WFH. worked well for years. Then I got asked to temporarily go FT for a,specific project, whilst I was doing that a colleague put in a request to go very part time. Which was granted

I was then refused permission to go back to my work pattern. Because the new boss didn’t want 2 people on flexible work.

Sigh.

So I quit for a new job with better pay and left them up shit creek.

suitechild · 27/08/2018 21:48

*which

BackinTimeforTea · 27/08/2018 21:48

presumably moving employers to one that's more setup for flexible working isn't an option?

quince2figs · 27/08/2018 21:49

I made reference to the employer’s (on paper) very open and family friendly flexible working policy, backed up by also referring to colleagues having been successful, with no detriment to the business.

Wombatwife · 27/08/2018 21:50

If you have a reasonable relationship with the other colleague can you ask her about her business case? That may help you write yours and understand why hers was accepted and your first not.

Blueroses99 · 27/08/2018 21:51

No advice but I’ve just returned full time from mat leave after I had a flexible working request for 4 days a week denied as it’s too busy but I’m surrounded by people working various part time hours (different roles) and it’s really demoralising.

jacks11 · 27/08/2018 21:51

Disagree Sandstorrm. There may be any number of things about the other person that OP is not aware of that mean the request is viewed differently- they may have the same role but that doesn't mean that everything else is the same.

OP also asked a year ago- the circumstances when OP asked 12 months ago may have been significantly different to when her colleague made the request. OP said herself that the reasons given were valid.

She can ask again, but there is no such thing as a precedent when it comes to flexible working- and therefore if her request is denied then she may not be being treated unfairly, per se.

codswallopandbalderdash · 27/08/2018 21:57

Same thing happened to me. I wish I'd taken out a grievance but i wasn't in the right headspace to do it.

RoseParade · 27/08/2018 21:59

I'm afraid I don't really have anything useful to say but I feel for you... I was denied flexible working twice. I didn't go back after my 2nd maternity leave.
Mine was also a sales role and I know the company I worked for just didn't like part-time as a working pattern. Of course they didn't say that, they just spouted off a few of the accepted business reasons and refused. Refused me at appeal as well. There's really nothing you can do except make a decision between staying full time or leaving the company. I was the third woman to leave the company over this issue - (we were all very successful sales people who had been with the company for 7 years +. It just seems so short sighted to me

Bimgy85 · 27/08/2018 22:05

Maybe no difference in your roles but how do you know they're not better at the job than you are? And this is why they've been given preference?

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 27/08/2018 22:08

They can refuse for valid business reasons..but presumably thèse would be the same for both of you if you do the same job? Though they might turn round now and say they can't do it as already have someone pt!

Original poster

Flex12 · 27/08/2018 22:11

I’ve had near perfect appraisals for my entire time in company. I’m well liked too. I’d be upset if I was refused because I’m not as good. Why wasn’t that issue raised previously? And is it even a valid business reason?

OP posts:

manicinsomniac · 27/08/2018 22:12

Could it not just be that it is feasible for the business to have one employee working part time but not two? If you are in the same role maybe it's even harder for them to allow a second person to do it too? Really annoying for you that the other person got in first if that's the case.

Artichoke18 · 27/08/2018 22:35

But it was the Op who asked first!

Original poster

Flex12 · 27/08/2018 22:40

It was me that asked first but I guess they could argue that business needs changed since then (they have not, if anything we are busier)

OP posts:

NaomiNagata · 27/08/2018 22:40

@Artichoke18

It doesn't matter who asks first or when they asked. What matters are the needs of the business at that time.

When OP asked they already had a staff member on leave and couldn't lose another to flex time work. So they said no.

When they other woman came back, they had OP on full time and no staff on leave. So they could lose the hours to a person going flex time. At that time, to worked for the business.

They can't go "oh, you asks almost a year ago so we will give it to you". They need to give it to the request at the time.

NaomiNagata · 27/08/2018 22:42

And if the woman wasn't on leave when OP asked then they have obviously had other reasons.

Business update and streamline. A year ago they needed everyone full time. Now they don't.

Original poster

Flex12 · 27/08/2018 22:53

Urgh see why I’m feeling nervous about another request. They can just make up reasons to say no and it’s ok. There’s nothing I can do. If it’s important, she was working full time when I put my request in. So it’s not that.

OP posts:

batshitbetty · 27/08/2018 23:13

If someone else has been granted it then it sets the precedent and they have to give you a clear explanation of why they have refused it if they do.

This isn't true. They always have to give a justifiable reason but there isn't a precedent with flexible working requests - in some instances another member of the team having a flex arrangement will be the reason someone else can't have it (ie they could work round one person having it, but not two)

Artichoke18 · 27/08/2018 23:34

Naomi the poster before me had said it was annoying for the OP that someone else got in first. I was pointing out it was the other way round.

manicinsomniac · 27/08/2018 23:48

Yeah, sorry Artichocke , I didn't read the OP properly.

Artichoke18 · 28/08/2018 11:04

Motherhood101Fail · 28/08/2018 11:13

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

StealthPolarBear · 28/08/2018 11:21

But opsays they're busier now than they were then

Cuddlykitten123 · 28/08/2018 11:26

Could the two of you negotiate for a 1.2 wte job share with a 1 day crossover?

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