New job - flexible working hours - is this ok?

[CoffeeAndCroissantPlease]

I got offered a job this week! It’s a school admin job, at the interview they said they could be flexible around the working days and hours but that school admin staff usually work 8.30am-3pm. They said at the interview that the work could be a mixture of working onsite and working from home, but they would prefer for the candidate to work a proper day rather than a morning here/an afternoon there.
DS1 is in primary school, DS2 is about to begin preschool and the core hours there are 9am-3pm. The preschool said when I looked around that they could potentially open at 8.30 for a breakfast club type service.
OH works long hours and I have nobody else to help me with school runs etc
Do you think it sounds reasonable if I request to work 9am-2.45pm so I can ensure I can drop both the kids off, be at my desk for 9am, work through until 2.45 then race back for pickup?
I feel sheepish making “special requests”
even though they said they were flexible and anxious they could retract the job offer (I suffer from anxiety).
Do you think that sounds ok or will I be making a bad first impression? I don’t really have a choice to be honest, as mentioned OH isn’t around and there’s nobody to help me with school runs etc!

I mean you can ask.
Flexible working means different things to different people, they are already offering hybrid working which they probably count as being flexible.
Usually flexible with hours means still working the same hours but slightly earlier or slightly later but you’re requesting a shorter working day.

45 mins less each day that the 8:30-3:00 they said is usual for admin to work? I can’t see them being keen tbh.

Key question is what the contracted hours are. As currently you’re proposing to work 45 mins less that what they’re suggesting. regardless of the time period. As long as you do the hours you’re paid for.

It’s a part time job of 18 hours a week

So I would be proposing to do this across 3x days 9am-2.45pm

Assuming the 6.5 hours they told you includes a lunch break? And you're suggesting no lunch break? It's not unreasonable, but if they need someone there before 9 to deal with parents, phone calls etc then they wouldn't want to agree to 9.

It's perfectly reasonable to ask. It's a normal thing to negotiate.

It's also perfectly reasonable for them to say no.

Do you have an alternative plan if they don't agree?

They’ve offered you the job but I’m assuming the contract isn’t yet signed so now is the time to put forward your proposal and see if they go for it. Could you make up the time at home somehow?

Being flexible usually means say 8-2.30 or 9-4 Instead of 8.30-3. You can't work less hours without getting paid less. You need to ask and if they say no you'll have to decline the job if you can't do the set hours

Definitely ask, OP - it’s only 15 minutes and if they’re normally flexible about WFH surely you can make up the extra 75 minutes each week from home once you’ve collected DC? I really don’t think it’s too much to ask, especially as they’ve talked about flexibility. Do you have the offer in writing?

Oh just seen your update about the amount of hours. Well go ahead and ask, frankly the worst case scenario is they say no and if you can't do tbf hours they want you'll have to keep looking for something else. Good luck

Sorry if I’m not being clear, I’m not asking to work less hours, I’m asking for the hours to be split across the working days in a way that allows me to drop my children to and from their school/preschool.
yes I have received an offer in writing pending references & DBS checks.

But three lots of 9-2:45 don't add up to 18?

You will have to ask but for what it's worth the prescriptive hours schools want is part of the reason they struggle to recruit. Obviously there are staffing/child ratios to consider but if admin/back office role they do really need to get with the times. They obviously like you as have offered you the job, no decent private employer would have an issue with your request. However, ot may be that you have to work 45 mins from home pre/post pick up or be prepared to foregone that pay.

They want 8.30-3 and you want 9-2.45.

Um, that IS less hours. Not sure I understand?

PS I think your benefits can be affected if you work over 16 hours per week, so that may or may not be relevant to your choices also.

Can't DS2 go somewhere with longer hours so it's all less stressful?

Sorry I’m tired and being an annoying drip-feeder - some of the hours will be worked in an evening meeting (I forgot to mention that very relevant part) so the daytime hours would be about 15hrs a week

Sorry if I’m not being clear, I’m not asking to work less hours, I’m asking for the hours to be split across the working days in a way that allows me to drop my children to and from their school/preschool.

You are though, the pattern you have suggested doesn’t total 18 hours. And that’s before you factor in breaks.

As a Head, I’d have no problem with this as long as the other admin hours were sorted and i’d have no problem a new employee wanting to discuss this - much rather have these conversations before employment than when they start and then 3/4 weeks resign as the role is unworkable for them.

Could you maybe look at going full-time, working some of your hours at home on your partners day off? Start after school drop off, then use after school care until your finishing time. The extra money would cover the after school care surely?

9.30 to 2.30 3 days a week or 9 to 2.

full time? The job was advertised and offered a part time

I meant considering applying for full time employment as an alternative to this job, rather than t messing around with flexible working requirements. IMO (working in schools) it’s easier to find and fund childcare on a full-time salary with term time only options.

Not sure why she would want a full time job when she clearly wants part time and to be able to do pick ups. Loads of parents do that.

Definitely ask. With the evening meeting too you are offering enough hours.

Your are being perfectly reasonable to ask this! They said they were flexible, if they needed specific times eg 8:30 start etc they would have said this was a must rather than most staff do 8:30 , have the conversation now, as someone else mentioned better to have it now than start and then ask and find out it’s not workable! Good luck with the job !