To be annoyed that my employer won’t let me go part time?

[Topoftheroof]

I currently work full time 5 days a week. I made a flexible working request to go part time to 2 days a week because of personal circumstances (family circumstances) but it was declined. I’m annoyed though because there are other people (2 other people) working in the company only 2 days a week so it’s not unheard of. But they won’t consider it because I’m a head of department (not in a school and nothing to do with education or academics) and they also won’t give me another role in the company either which can be 2 days a week. I feel like I could cry with stress, I can’t afford to not work at all but can’t work 5 days a week at the moment either due to circumstances. I explained on my request that part time 2 days a week might not be permanent but they still declined the request. Both my boss and the managing director are always moaning that they “dread the day” I leave because “there’s no one in the business as good as” me so it’s baffling to me that they wouldn’t approve the 2 days a week knowing that I can’t work full time 5 days a week at the moment but then at the same time always say that they don’t want me to leave the company and would do anything to stop me leaving. I haven’t decided if I should appeal it yet or not, I don’t know what to do. I’m just really upset and have been crying about it because I can’t afford not to work at all and can’t do full time at the moment either. I’m also very annoyed with my employer too for rejecting the request. AIBU to be annoyed with my employer about this?

You are not unreasonable to ask to go part time, they are not unreasonable to say no.

Do your employer know about your current circumstances? Could you possibly ask for a meeting with them about going to 3 days or 3 days on a temporary basis (say, for 12 weeks)

You need to be careful telling your boss you can do your full time job in 2 days!!!

I could ask but I’m not sure I could make anything else work at the moment to be honest other than 2 days a week.

do you just drag your current hours out then?

You will have to find another part time job unfortunately. Just keep looking.

I would look for another job

I agree that 5 days down to 2 is a huge jump. Whilst you say you can do your job in 5, I suspect that not likely and if it were it calls into question your role. I would stop saying this at work, it won’t help your situation.

What I would suggest would be another conversation where you again state your need for flexibility and ask them what might be possible. If your need is due to ill health or other such reason do mention this also.

Could you do 4 days, or shorter hours, more WFH, different hours. Could you ask for 3 days but this time with a solid plan for how you would cover the remaining two (perhaps a trusted deputy who is looking for a step up, or increased use of systems making things more efficient, or a reschedule so that key meetings happen on your three days and the remaining two are for the team’s output) etc. Essentially you need to show that it’s considered and there won’t be any business impact.

I hope you don’t mind my saying but you sound a touch frantic, and perhaps a calm and measured approach might be useful.

YABU. It’s not unusual for there to be less flexibility in roles like Head of Department and not up to them to find you a different role.

Would they consider four days a week? Because I think that’s the best you can expect in a leadership role.

I'm agreeing with others on this thread. How is it possible to do a FT job in 2 days a week?
Have you asked them what flexibility might be available? Ie three 9 hour days, mornings only etc.

They know all about my current circumstances yes.

I could ask for that meeting I guess yes, we had a meeting though after I put the request in to go to 2 days a week.

if it's possible to do your job in 2 days a week, then great for your employer. They can make you redundant and give your job to a person who is employed full time doing the same job so they now have 4 days a week actual work. (they wouldn't make the other person redundant and you've been clear you don't want to work full time).

I don't think this is what you really want ...

On the more practical side, if you can't cope with full time work due to stress, then you can probably get yourself signed off and organise a phased return to work.

But before you do that ... have you had an informal conversation with your manager about your personal circumstances and what could be done to support you? They might be happier with a short term informal arrangement.

So you can't do it from home, but it's okay for you to not be there 3 days per week but you can still meet the requirements of your job?

That doesn't make sense OP

OP how is it possible to do your current 5 day a week job in 2? There are plenty of part time people where I work, but HoD’s they might approve 4 days a week, but definitely not 2. What do you do on the other 3 days a week? What would happen if there was a massive issue with your team on one of the 3 days a week you’re not working?

My reason for needing to go part time is not due to health.

The job can be done from home on some days but I can’t work from home at the moment due to my circumstances.

I do think they have to have some duty of care though, if you can’t physically do 5 days a week due to family circumstances then I would definitely have a meeting with them again about going to 3 days on a temporary basis.

I am not sure what you are going through but some employers would understand you needing this right now. Unfortunately it depends on the employer and they can still say no. It might be best to look for other jobs x

I have asked a week ago but haven’t had a response yet.

Are you currently working 5 days still?

The 2 days a week wouldn’t have been a permanent arrangement either and they know that, just for a year or two.

At the moment yes but it’s not workable for much longer due to circumstances.

Ah, so not that temporary then!

But I can absolutely do my role in 2 days a week, it is possible.

It is really dangerous to insist this while having been paid for 5 and not sought to be more productive. You've basically told them you are doing sweet FA.

They don't owe you anything

The idea that you think your role can be done in two days is odd - HOD's need to be around for most of the week to head the dept.

If they let you go to 2 days, and either you are wrong, or you leave, then depending on size of company, arguing the case for your headcount to become 5 days again might be tricky. So granting your request is a risk they don't want to take.

Flexible working isn't granted on whether a role can be done in less days, the idea is that the work gets covered in other ways by the reappropriation of the funding for the headcount. Jobshare is one option, there are others though.

Basically it's a hassle and a risk for the employer, and they've rejected it having weighed up the risk that you might quit.

I’ll ask them tomorrow if we can have a meeting about 3 days a week/what else they might consider.

I do think their whole approach to my request didn’t show much duty of care to be honest

Unfortunately I can’t find any current jobs elsewhere for 2 days a week x

Our flexible working policy says anything less than 3 years is classed as temporary.

If you are head of a department, who are you suggesting will manage your team for the other 3 days? Are they expected to just get on with it until you are back in the office? If they don't need you for 3 days out of 5 why would they need you at all?