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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel discriminated against as a part-time worker (9 day fortnight)

103 replies

NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 09:54

My employer is offering a 9 day fortnight (compressed hours 9 days a fortnight with the 10th day off). But only to full time staff. Has anyone else experienced this – is it not discriminatory to part time staff not to offer the equivalent? Not sure if I am being unreasonable querying this?

OP posts:
Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:19

Bump. For those that think I’m unread, why?

OP posts:
3luckystars · 27/08/2024 10:20

But you are part time? Do you want part time part time?

Edingril · 27/08/2024 10:21

If you are part time how on earth would it work having a 9 day fortnight?

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/08/2024 10:23

What do you work now and what are you proposing?

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/08/2024 10:23

You can make a request for flexible or compressed working, and your employer would need to set out a solid business case not to grant the request. How many hours a week do you currently work across how many days? A work day should not exceed 12 hours in a compressed workweek, which would preclude some part-time staff from being able to work their hours in a compressed way.

ChanelBoucle · 27/08/2024 10:25

I haven’t voted because I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. If you’re pt, then you surely will just continue working fewer hours than your ft colleagues? Would it affect you personally when they perform their duties?

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:25

@Edingril it would be prorata. So if I was 50% FTE (ie 2.5 days a week). I would have a 9.5 day fortnight (ie half a day off every fortnight).

@3luckystars yes I’m part time.

OP posts:
ChanelBoucle · 27/08/2024 10:27

Ok that makes more sense. I’m pt but my time is allocated in hours not percentages or days. I think it would be within your rights to check it through with HR then.

DaniMontyRae · 27/08/2024 10:30

NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:25

@Edingril it would be prorata. So if I was 50% FTE (ie 2.5 days a week). I would have a 9.5 day fortnight (ie half a day off every fortnight).

@3luckystars yes I’m part time.

So you want to condense your 5 days a fortnight into 4.5 days a fortnight?

EmeraldRoulette · 27/08/2024 10:32

You say they’re being offered compressed hours which effectively means the total working hours over a fortnight is the same, is that correct?

so you are asking for a similar adjustment

I can’t see why not but I can imagine their business case will be factoring in who is available when and part timers are less available obviously l

i can see a lot of reasons why they might assume a part timer wouldn’t want it but I agree they should ask

also is an experiment with an end date? They might decide to try the same experiment with part time workers later.

though of course they should communicate this stuff properly!

BabaYetu · 27/08/2024 10:33

Working their hours over fewer days? I mean, aren’t you already doing that by being part time?

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:34

DaniMontyRae · 27/08/2024 10:30

So you want to condense your 5 days a fortnight into 4.5 days a fortnight?

Edited
Show quote history

Yes @DaniMontyRae - do you think that’s reasonable?

OP posts:
Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:36

EmeraldRoulette · 27/08/2024 10:32

You say they’re being offered compressed hours which effectively means the total working hours over a fortnight is the same, is that correct?

so you are asking for a similar adjustment

I can’t see why not but I can imagine their business case will be factoring in who is available when and part timers are less available obviously l

i can see a lot of reasons why they might assume a part timer wouldn’t want it but I agree they should ask

also is an experiment with an end date? They might decide to try the same experiment with part time workers later.

though of course they should communicate this stuff properly!

Yes @EmeraldRoulette it’s currently an experiment/trial. We haven’t been given an end date.

OP posts:
DaniMontyRae · 27/08/2024 10:37

NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:34

Yes @DaniMontyRae - do you think that’s reasonable?

Show quote history

Well it seems feasible, without knowing the details of the business. But why didn't you ask for that working pattern when you made your part time request? I don't see why it needs to be tied in with what the full timers are doing.

Singleandproud · 27/08/2024 10:38

9 day fortnight is to give flexibility to FT workers to make their work life balance better. You already work PT so presumably your work life balance is as you want it. Nothing stopping you applying for a FT compressed hours role instead.

How would you compress your hours and would that meet the businesses needs?

Everyone at my work who does 9 day fortnight starts at 7ish and finishes around 4.

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:38

BabaYetu · 27/08/2024 10:33

Working their hours over fewer days? I mean, aren’t you already doing that by being part time?

No, that’s not what part time means. Part time means I work a proportion of their hours for a proportion of their pay. I don’t receive the same pay as others for that reason, I’m not paid to work on the days I’m not at work.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 27/08/2024 10:41

I wouldn't go in with 'I feel discriminated against'! I would go in with 'here's a great solution for those of us who are PT to participate'.

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:41

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/08/2024 10:23

You can make a request for flexible or compressed working, and your employer would need to set out a solid business case not to grant the request. How many hours a week do you currently work across how many days? A work day should not exceed 12 hours in a compressed workweek, which would preclude some part-time staff from being able to work their hours in a compressed way.

Thank you, just out of interest do you work in HR or have you had any personal experience with this sort of request as a part time worker?

OP posts:
CuriousGeorge80 · 27/08/2024 10:42

Compressed hours means they work extended days, right? They still have to work the same number of hours but over less days? So I think if you are proposing the same hours as you currently do but over 4.5 instead of 5 days then that is reasonable.

CantHoldMeDown · 27/08/2024 10:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:44

DaniMontyRae · 27/08/2024 10:37

Well it seems feasible, without knowing the details of the business. But why didn't you ask for that working pattern when you made your part time request? I don't see why it needs to be tied in with what the full timers are doing.

Show quote history

I did ask for compressed hours when I joined the company, but the excuse was that the opening hours were 9-5. Well now it will be 8:30 to 5:30 to facilitate the 9 day fortnight- so I feel it’s only fair that part time workers also get the opportunity to benefit from this.

OP posts:
CantHoldMeDown · 27/08/2024 10:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

FacingTheWall · 27/08/2024 10:45

They’re not allowed to treat part time workers less favourably than full time workers so you could ask. Nothing to lose.

beetr00 · 27/08/2024 10:45

This seems an informative site @NoJamSlags

https://workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/flexible-working-a-guide-for-employees/

Original poster
NoJamSlags · 27/08/2024 10:45

CuriousGeorge80 · 27/08/2024 10:42

Compressed hours means they work extended days, right? They still have to work the same number of hours but over less days? So I think if you are proposing the same hours as you currently do but over 4.5 instead of 5 days then that is reasonable.

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m proposing

OP posts: