Does anyone have an arrangement like this at work?

[Davidfergus]

I am wondering if I could work 9-4, then and 7 to 8:30, so that I can drop dd at nursery and collect her for bedtime routine etc. I know I basically need to propose this to work but I just wondered if this is common? I have an office job mostly working from home and I have no involvement from DD’s dad except on Sundays. I’d prefer not to be collecting her from nursery when it’s dark at 6pm as she’s only 10 months.

I don't personally but I know others who do. If your job is one where you can do your work outside 'core hours' it seems reasonable.

As an employer, I would be very happy to consider this kind of arrangement.

Yep I do similar to this although not as fixed. I get the work done and I do the hours I'm contracted for, employers are happy with it as am I :)

Yes, we work flexi time, so can work basically any hours ( we have to be around for the core 10-2 ) I would ask , can always offer to keep a time sheet. I often log on evenings / weekends to catch up when I’ve taken the kids somewhere or needed to run an errand or something.

Pretty common in jobs with flexitime. Definitely worth asking for if you have a good relationship with work.

I have flexible working; have you checked your work flexible working policy? When I requested mine I made sure I worded it so that others wouldn’t be inconvenienced and it didn’t impact on business

we have someone who works pretty much that pattern. It’s a very flexible workplace though…..

Yep, I do this - I've "core hours" when I have to work, and then the rest is flexible.

As an employee who has done this before, it’s really not fun and for me was very difficult to manage.

It was hard starting work for a second time in the day, and I always ended up working very late. It was exhausting mentally.

I’d be trying to find a way to drop your child off at nursery a bit earlier and pick them up a bit later.

Yep. We have such great flexi that the stance of the organisation is your are contracted to X hours a week. There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week.

My stance with my service and the teams in it is that so long as you achieve your goals for the week I don't care what you work or if your under hours. I do care if your over as it means either we are giving you too much to do, something else is going on that is impacting work and I need to lighten the load or you aren't managing your workload.

I know a few parents who do this I guess the only issue will be can your child entertain themselves whilst you work? Will you need time in the morning during 7-8.30 to get them ready?

You’d be in sole charge of a baby for the second part, every day, so it wouldn’t be allowed where I am. You’d be fine to finish at 4 though.

This would be fine at my workplace.

We don’t even have core hours any more.

Oh sorry I read the 7-830 as being the morning! Ignore me.
Yes I know people who do this sort of flexi time

I essentially do this as a teacher with young kids - leave at 5 then work again for an hour or two from about 8. Bear in mind though your baby won't reliably go to sleep at 7.30 or whatever forever. Does it matter if you work 8.30-10 instead? Would the organisation mind? It's not fun but I manage fine getting an hour or two done; I wouldn't manage if it had to be at a very set time.

Do you mean log back on at 7 in the evening? I think your employer will be fine with this. Most places encourage work/life balance post covid. Can I just say well done doing it all on your own mama 👏🏻 💪🏼

This is common for agile working arrangements, which many companies are. No core hours or log-in mechanism. Work is focussed on output rather than when or where people work. Recognising that good work-life balance is good for individuals and organisations.

Given the recruitment and retention challenges many sectors are facing, it’s definitely worth asking and show how it can work for your employers as well. Consider whether there any specific tasks that you could do during your late shift that might make work easier for colleagues who work traditional hours.

As for any difficulties in re-starting work again later in the day, like anything else done frequently, you’ll get used to it.

@KMM87 thank you, your post nearly made me cry. It’s so hard sometimes, just hope I’m getting it right.

🥺 You are nothing short of superwoman and don’t you bloody forget it!! Everything you are doing is for your baby girl and what an amazing role model you are to her.

I have done this for the past 3 years :) though I do the hours before nursery (now school) drop off etc, it works well

@HAF1119 how do you do that? Before they wake up? Or does your partner help? I wonder if earlier is better actually.

If your work is such that it can be done out of office hours then I think any employer would be very churlish to refuse this.

I work in a place with flexi and no core hours. I could do this easily without even getting permission as long as I recorded the hours I was doing. I’m a lone parent and although my kid is older it means I can be flexible when I need to be. Also, what else am I doing in the evenings? 🤣 just sitting at home anyway, so I quite like just getting on with stuff once she’s in bed.

Obviously depends on your role, my little one started nursery at 12m and we did 8.30- 6, so i dropped off, went to work, did 9-5 and then collected and she had dinner at nursery.
Luckily we have since had GP to nursery drop off and then we work 0830-1630 to cover pick up so she's only in 9-5 which has saved money too.

I think as a single parent having a set time where you have to cover extra hours would need to be flexible to juggle with sleep changes.

Personally that's a lot on you I think if your nursery did early breakfast club drop her off at say 0730 and work 8-4 with a 30min break, or dinner club and do 9.30-5.30 (assuming your commute is feasible in 30mins and your comtracted for 37.5hpw)

My dd was allowed to change her hours when she got a dog.....