To be disappointed that I've my request to work 3.5 days returning from mat leave has been rejected.

[CassandrasCastle]

I know it's not a big deal in the scheme of things, but my manager had been leading me to believe this was a perfectly acceptable request to make when I return in the Spring. DD will be in nursery 3 days a week, and DP will be looking after her other half/now full day. It's fine, sure she'll be happy at nursery - I just really wanted an extra afternoon with her while she's still pretty small and cute (They can have her when she turns full raging toddler 😏).
It just seems slightly petty, this extra 3.5 hours. I'm planning to work longer hours on my 3 full days to try to hang onto that half day... am I overreacting?

Then ask for a reason. Approach your manger and ask her what she thinks the compromise is.

Im confused, what were you working and what has been approved? Did you go through the formal process for applying for flexible working, or just through your manager? Depending on the job, is the issue that they need a certain amount of coverage on a particular day, or just that the workload is heavy?

I would get clarification on whether they have approved x hours a week that can be completed how suits, such as 3 longer days and then a half, or whether they have approved the days themselves and need someone in. Both of those are different really in terms of what you will be able to do. Half days are a pain in the arse, and unfortunately employers don't have to approve requests.

That said, hope you get it sorted.

They need to give you a reason OP. Your employer is under a duty to consider the request and can only refuse the request if there are good reasons for not being able to accommodate the hours you asked for e.g. it is not possible to properly do your job on fewer days.

Yes you are being unreasonable. The pandemic has made everyone's lives harder.

IME it is relatively easy for an employer to give a reason.

OP did you go through a formal flexible working request to alter your hours?

@peak2021

The only thing I would add is which is your half day might make a difference. Don't make it a Friday as that is not necessarily kind to colleagues.

Colleague envy/jealousy isn't a reason not to ask for something that would make OP's life better/easier.

@MissyMoooo

They need to give you a reason OP. Your employer is under a duty to consider the request and can only refuse the request if there are good reasons for not being able to accommodate the hours you asked for e.g. it is not possible to properly do your job on fewer days.

Is that not what they are saying in the role requirement minimum being 28 hours over 4 days?

Colleague envy/jealousy isn't a reason not to ask for something that would make OP's life better/easier.

It can be a reason for rejecting a request though. Unless people have an entire week off work for example, they often take a long weekend- so Monday or Friday out of the office. If there still needs to be x people in, a request could be reasonably rejected because having that particular day off a week means it will be tricky to manage annual leave across the team. A Wednesday though, for example, is less likely to cause issue and might be considered. A request takes into account the employee, the employer ie the actual work, and also the wider team. To be successful in one, it's best to consider those and make it really clear how it will not have a detrimental affect on those.

Is there anyone else going back about the same time that you can pair up with? This can make it easier for managers if there are 2 people doing set 7 days in a working week as opposed to 2 people who are doing random 3.5 days each. Or 3 people working the same amount as 2 FTE.

didn't realise half days were so shit - other people seemed to be doing them when I worked pre baby.
I requested 3.5 days, 24.5 hours. This has been rejected, or rather 'needs to be reviewed'.
I'm confused too tbh, sorry!

And yes, the pandemic has indeed made everyone's lives harder, thanks for that original insight 😁

I'm the only one in the team to have a baby - everyone else either has grown up kids or none

I think the pp meant that by having each Friday off, the op is getting a long weekend each week. Sometimes, depending on the size of the team, if someone wants to take one day off for a weekend it can be refused due to there being one less in. That can cause animosity.

Also, you say you would like 2 days with your dc, you’ll have weekends presumably and a day in the week?

Can you work 4 days and ask for one day off a week? That’s what I do, and it might be more deliverable for your employer.

Your line manager may not have had the choice to say no to you either.

To be as flexible as possible I said I didn’t mind which day was my non-working day. Good luck, OP.

If it's still being reviewed then fingers crossed. It would be easier to do days imo, because if it's hours it's not as certain, so if they offer hours probably worth getting the days written in too.

I think the pp meant that by having each Friday off, the op is getting a long weekend each week. Sometimes, depending on the size of the team, if someone wants to take one day off for a weekend it can be refused due to there being one less in. That can cause animosity.

Yes exactly, we have had requests for Fridays rejected, but if the person has been happy to take a different day it's been then approved. Mondays actually work out best if you are part time and usually get bank holidays off, but that's another discussion haha.

I was told by line manager that taking Mondays off would be a bad idea!

Yes if you have Mondays off and you usually have bank holidays off you are still entitled to take them (pro rata'd) when you like, so it's good for employees but annoying for employers. But it's also the other side of the weekend- tues, weds or Thurs usually more likely to be approved.

Wednesday? Break up the week?
Monday may have the same issue as a Friday.

I'd rather Friday And think that will be approved, as she's written that she doesn't mind which days I take off..