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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To request to work part time before starting full time job

19 replies

HelloWorld2577 · 19/09/2024 17:08

Hello!

Long story short, ideal job in ideal department has come up but theres been a bit of confusion their end with the hours.

I was invited to an interview under the impression they were hiring for 1x 18.5hr and 2x 37hr contracts as this is what their advert stated however during the interview they didn't mention what my days would look like if part time, only full time.

A bit confused, I sent a follow up email asking if they were still seeking PT employees and they responded and said they were only looking for full time employees at the moment and did I still want to be considered etc. I was a bit annoyed as I'd taken a day off work and traveled in order to attend the interview as I was seeking the 18.5hr role which is hard to come by! Not wanting to waste my time and effort put into the application process and interview process (which was lengthy) I responded saying I was interested in a full time position and I was then offered the job, to my surprise!

However, now doing the childcare maths I really don't think with the ages my children are full time would be suitable for me.

Would I be unreasonable to request to work part time due to the confusion their end? Or do you think they would consider it?

If I do request to work part time how part time is too part time? I think I could make 25 hours work, which is more than the 18.5 but a lot less than 37! Just so stuck with what to do as I want the job so badly!

HELP

OP posts:

Star81 · 19/09/2024 17:10

Well, you can ask but they can also say no and withdraw the offer or you can no accept the offer if you don’t like their answer.

When they said full time only did you ask why the advert said there was 18.5hrs too ?

Rickrolypoly · 19/09/2024 17:14

Well they cleared up the confusion before any job offer was made and you told them that you were happy to proceed so I think you are being unreasonable to expect that they will offer you part time hours now.
That being said, if you cant work the full time hours, just decline the full time role and say that you would be available for part time if that was something they could consider...it's up to them then.

Mickey79 · 19/09/2024 17:14

They said they were only looking for full time, you said you were interested in full time and they offered you the job based on that. You can ask for less hours but it doesn’t sound like that’s what they are looking for, and they made that clear when you queried it. Between placing the advert and the interview stage, it sounds like something changed with the 18.5 hour position.

Hecatoncheires · 19/09/2024 17:15

If the advert was for a full-time post (which isn't clear from your OP) then I believe that you cannot be appointed to a part-time post. Was part-time work still on the table for the interview?

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/09/2024 17:15

You thought you applied for part time, they thought full time and when you contacted them, they asked if you still wanted to be considered for full time and you said that you did.

Now you think it won’t work for you. I don’t think they’ll be pleased now they’ve offered you full time if you say that it won’t work and you need part time.

Original poster

HelloWorld2577 · 19/09/2024 17:19

Hecatoncheires · 19/09/2024 17:15

If the advert was for a full-time post (which isn't clear from your OP) then I believe that you cannot be appointed to a part-time post. Was part-time work still on the table for the interview?

Their post states
There is 2 x 37 hrs and 1 x 18.5 hrs vacancy available

So I applied and as they did not state they had withdrawn the 18.5 hour vacancy I never thought to bring it up at interview stage!

It was only when I sat and thought about it for a few days I thought I would double check they were still offering the 18.5 hr contract as found it odd they mentioned how my days would be as if I was going to be there 5 days per week.

Had I not sent a follow up email I would've been none the wiser, so regretting checking now! Just wanted to seem keen lol

OP posts:

Original poster

HelloWorld2577 · 19/09/2024 17:22

Mickey79 · 19/09/2024 17:14

Yeah, it does seem like they changed their minds but its just very frustrating and a waste of my time when I would have never taken a day off work and travelled if they were only offering a full time position!

OP posts:

StopTheGreyness · 19/09/2024 17:24

The truth is that they hold all the cards and made their position clear. If you want the full-time job I'd keep schtum. If you don't want the job then just tell them you thought it was a part-time position and you've tried to make childcare work for full-time and it doesn't, so you no longer want the job.

It's irritating when companies do this, especially when there is a lengthy interview process.

EverybodyWantsTo · 19/09/2024 17:27

Would you be able to do compressed hours so full time across 4 days?

Otherwise you can ask but the fact they pulled the part time one suggests they will say no.

EverybodyWantsTo · 19/09/2024 17:29

Also, where is the children's dad in this? Can he make FT work for you by adjusting or dropping hours?

Overthebow · 19/09/2024 17:54

they told you they wanted full time and you said you were interested in full time, I’m not sure you can change that now. The time to ask for part time was then.

Annnnnb · 19/09/2024 18:04

You needed to clarify why the advert had referred to one part time vacancy when they were only offering full time. It is not clear from your OP if you specifically told them you were only interested in part time in your application or when you were interviewed. The fact that they have come back saying they are now only appointing full time and you accepted on those terms weakens your case. They hold all the cards. I suspect their answer will be NO.

greatcoffeebadhair · 19/09/2024 18:37

I think you have nothing to lose by being really honest - tell them that you applied because you were looking for part time, then after the interview you liked them and were happy to consider full time, but on reflection you realise you can’t work more than 25 hours.

You never know what the machinations are behind the scenes. Maybe they will say no but they will still understand your perspective and maybe keep you in mind for future roles.

anyway - what are the alternatives? You can either turn the job down, or start it and ask to go part time in a few weeks, which will be much more difficult for them if they end up having to re-recruit

greatcoffeebadhair · 19/09/2024 18:38

And maybe they will say yes!

DreamW3aver · 19/09/2024 18:55

Hecatoncheires · 19/09/2024 17:15

If the advert was for a full-time post (which isn't clear from your OP) then I believe that you cannot be appointed to a part-time post. Was part-time work still on the table for the interview?

Why can't she be appointed to a part time position, what would stop the employer filling their roles however they choose?

The risk you're running is annoying them as you've taken up their time just as much as they've taken up yours but there's no harm in asking

KrisAkabusi · 19/09/2024 20:13

If the advert was for a full-time post (which isn't clear from your OP) then I believe that you cannot be appointed to a part-time post.

Why can't she be appointed to a part time position, what would stop the employer filling their roles however they choose?

It's consiered to be poor practice, as people that wanted a part time role would not have applied if it was advertised as full time. Advertising a job as full time but then making it a part time one at the new employee's request could be seen as discrimination.

jelliestfish · 19/09/2024 20:36

KrisAkabusi · 19/09/2024 20:13

If the advert was for a full-time post (which isn't clear from your OP) then I believe that you cannot be appointed to a part-time post.

Why can't she be appointed to a part time position, what would stop the employer filling their roles however they choose?

Discrimination against whom?!

A request to work part-time is essentially a flexible working request and the employment law around that has been extended to afford the right to request flexible working to all from the start of their employment.

KrisAkabusi · 19/09/2024 21:12

There's a difference between flexible working and a part time role. More women than men work part time so it could potentially be seen as discrimination against women. It could be discrimination against people with some disabilities who can work a few hours a day but not a whole day.
In the government agency where I work, if a full time role became part time before someone was given the job, we would have to be readvertise so as not to discriminate against those who originally did not apply because they could not do a full time job.

Countingcactus · 19/09/2024 21:17

I can’t imagine them completely retracting the job offer just because you asked whether part time is possible. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Worst case scenario, they say no and you then have to make the decision of full time or not taking the job? I honestly can’t see anything to lose.

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