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?

Are you caring for an elderly relative, OP?

But theyre in a different role. Theres people in my organisation who wfh but its not possible im my role. Every work plan doesn't suit every role

This is like those posters that claim to WFH and look after small children while still being the most productive members of the team. OP I think a lot of us are struggling to understand how you can manage a 5 day workload in 2 days if you genuinely have a 5 day workload.

Try to see it from your bosses point of view and make a case for how what you want can still work for them.

They would be able to reorganise any work on the other 3 days too and I explained in my request in detail how that would work.

This. IF they did agree and they cut your pay to 2 days a week and you manage to do the job fully, why would they then want to pay you over double later on to do exactly the same if you wanted to go back to 5 days?

No.

I can't imagine any company approving a HEAD of department to work only 2 days a week? How? I think your better off looking at other roles in your company and taking a demotion alongside negotiating part time hours for that role. I'd be really careful if you are being vocal that your role can be done with only 2 days?what are you even doing most the time?

Put yourself in your employers' shoes. They must be thinking you're massively underperforming/ time wasting at the moment if you're genuinely dragging out what you say is 2 days of work over 5 days?

If you have line management responsibility, who are you expecting to support the team while you're not working?

Not sure what industry you work in but is there scope for quitting and picking up some (self-employed) consultancy work instead?

I suggested to them another role in the company and they wouldn’t do that.

I’m sorry OP but you’re being unreasonable here. I get it because for you this is an emotional thing but for your employer it is purely a business thing. The fact you can’t find any jobs to apply for for 2 days supports your employer’s stance not to reduce really.

You weren’t wrong to ask, they aren’t wrong to say no.

I have line management responsibilities as part of my role yes.

You just need to suck it up and find something else.

If it's a full time role then it shouldn't be possible to do it in two days, you're very underworked if you can do everything in so short a period. Be careful Op, you're talking yourself out of a decent job

I think you have 2 options here:

1. You have a meeting regarding your circumstances again, ask for 3 days a week and say you are absolutely unable to do anymore due to circumstances. They say yes, then you’re happy. They say no, you find a new job or continue 5 days a week.
2. You don’t have the meeting and find another job.

I can’t go freelance/self employed either, that wouldn’t work I don’t think unless it was freelance for my current employer 2 days a week but I haven’t asked them about freelance yet

I think I will have to ask for a meeting about 3 days a week because I can’t find another role elsewhere for 2 days a week.

I thought you wanted to go from 38 hours a week to 24 or something. Wanting to drop 60% of your hours is ridiculous. Especially as you are 'Head of Department.) You need to start looking for another (part time) job @Topoftheroof

You’re not listening, you’re telling them you are taking a full time wage barely doing anything. They’ll be thinking now why they need you in the first place.

There's a reason why there aren't any 2 day per week Head of Department jobs on offer; most likely for the same reason that your request was rejected.

Some suggested condensed hours across 3 days a week upthread, which might be more appealing to your employer OP. Fingers crossed

They could have offered me another role in the business (I even said I would accept a demotion) for 2 days a week but they wouldn’t do that either

I think unfortunately you will have to suck that up and ask for 3 days. It will be extremely hard to find 2 days a week elsewhere. They may consider 3 days. Potentially you could add extra hours on and do 4 days hours in 3 days if that makes sense? They might agree to that. It isn’t what you originally asked for but I can’t blame them for saying no to 2 days x

So if a role came up, you're not allowed to apply?? How?

They won't make a job for you but I can't see why they won't let you apply for a demotion if it comes up and negotiate part time hours there.
No way will you get 2 days a week as a head.

You’re not thinking straight OP. You’re adamant you want to do current role in 2 days a week. I’d be looking at making your role redundant if I’m paying full whack FTE foe someone only working 2 days a week.

why don’t you ask to WFH 3 days a week and then don’t work them if you can do your role into 2 days?