To be annoyed that my flexible working request has been turned down

[workisanightmare]

I requested to change my hours from 9-5 to 8:15-4:15. It just suits my day better and would make my evenings more productive.

it has been turned down because I need to cover until 5, because my colleague can’t due to health issues. AIBU to be a bit annoyed about this?

Annoying, but if they have health issues I would imagine it is a protected characteristic.

As PP have stated, they can not leave the office unstaffed

Unfortunately that's how flexible working law works- you can feel it's unfair, but legally they're correct. They can't undo/rewrite someone's contract because you've asked. Someone else doing a certain pattern (in this case, leaving early) is not a legal reason for another person to be approved. Quite often (I worked in HR), we would have this, where a certain number of people (as an example call center staff) would request a day off to only work part time (as an example Fridays) and at a certain point we'd have allowed the maximum Fridays we could allow off to run the business and keep lines fully staffed. The next person to ask was told no, it was not viable for the business. We wouldnt/legally couldn't, go back to all the people with Fridays off and ask them to change or rotate their days because a new person wanted Fridays off. It's the same here, yes you are "last" to ask, and that in itself is the reason they can't allow it, and are legally OK saying they can't. We would always try and flex, and offer another day (as an example) but we were well within our rights to say that we absolutely had to keep Fridays fully staffed. In the same way, your business is well within their rights to say afternoons must be fully staffed till 5, because nobody else works them due to previous flexible working requests.

Appreciate your frustration, it is what it is unfortunately.

3 months notice to take holiday?! That’s ridiculous!

If something needs covering (like a phone line) till 5pm then someone has to do it. You likely took the job knowing that?

I would have loved to do permanent 8-4 in one of my previous jobs. I knew it would never get approved as the phone lines were open till 4.30. So I compromised and did half the time till 5 and half the time till 4. Made it easier most of the time and could plan appropriately for the other times.

If something needs covering (like a phone line) till 5pm then someone has to do it. You likely took the job knowing that?
Doesn't sound like it seeing as she says, 'the flexibility was used as a big selling point and they were very proud of the fact I’d be able to be flexible.'

You have to give 3 months notice to take annual leave?? And everyone else is allowed to finish early but you? I think this is absolutely ridiculous on the part of your employer. You must be massively indispensable or they're being unfair. Often employers who tout they have 'flexible working ' absolutely do not, or there are huge caveats. I think you definitely need to look around for something else that ACTUALLY offers flexibility. I don't feel you are asking too much. Ignore all the negative comments

If it doesn’t meet the needs of the service it’s not unreasonable to reject it! In this situation it clearly doesn’t meet service needs!

They got there first.

if you don’t like it, leave and find somewhere that will accomodate it

Where I work my hours are 9-5 monday to friday. I can start at 7am if I want but I have to stay till 5pm I dont get paid for any extra hours.
others are contracted 9-5 but do 8-4 or 8:4 to 4:45 I'm not allowed to do it at all.

so I get it, I have been here for almost 4 years doing the same job. it takes me an hour and a half to get to work and back and I have a kid so my evenings are so rushed.

I would contest it, I have a cronic condition aswell but it doesnt stop me from working hours I'm contracted to.

Also, in addition to everything I said in my previous post, if your company has a lone working policy, they are breaking it big time. I think they have missold you the role and I would definitely look elsewhere

Do you know who that person was?

You’re the newest person, with 6 months of tenure. Who’s the next most junior person? I’m just trying to gauge when it’ll be likely that someone new joins.

I would start looking for another job. Sounds like you’re young so should be able to find something pretty quickly. You were miss-sold the position as flexible working and it isn’t so that’s your excuse when an interviewer asks you why you’re leaving after only 6 months.

Is there a policy on lone working?

I've never heard the likes of it. This company is appalling, you're not paid enough to have this amount of responsibility. I'd go off sick and look for another job.

OP, I feel for you. When I got my first FT job (in a call centre) I was sold that we'd have mixed shifts across the 8-8 hours. However once I passed training I got ALL the 12-8pm shifts allocated to me on a 4 weekly basis (plus every Saturday), while those who had been there before got to choose their shift pattern, and shock, horror, they mostly chose 8-4. It's not conductive at all to a nice working environment. Sad to say it didn't get any better and I no longer work there.

I know you've already specified that you'll be looking for a new job, all I can say is get on the case ASAP!

If they are allowing others to do what you asked to do, they need a solid reason why you can’t. Otherwise it’s illegal

They’ve told you how it works. If you’re not happy, then best look for another job.

The 3 months' length of notice for holidays, systematic exclusion of any social events, and expecting you to replace anything taken in a burglary are all dodgy working practices and could constitute bullying. Please give ACAS a call.

I'd also keep track of anything financially questionable (trades, so possibly not paying taxes at times), and report them to HMRC once you're safe in a new job and it's been a good few months so they won't link it to you.

You could take them to a tribunal but realistically you’re not going to. I’d use the hour and a half a day you’re alone to get a qualification and/ or apply for other roles.

Ignore most on here. Weirdly this site has an anti-workers rights brigade. I’d imagine they’re the ones in shit dead end jobs, who don’t want to think others have a better deal.

Total nonsense

What happens if you're on leave or off sick? Does someone have to stay & cover your role?

It depends on what your organisation does, how much external contact there is ans why you are in the office until 5pm.

What safety measures are there in place once you are alone in the office? As someone who was once attacked in the office where I worked im very conscious of safety & the proximity of others. I won't stay in a building or area alone.

Put together an argument to counter their response and re- submit your application

It may be legal, but it sounds like a fairly unpleasant place to work. Not being able to approve a flex working request? Fine. Requiring additional notice for you to book leave vs other members of staff. Not fine.

TBH they sound like they are burying their heads in the sand. What did they do before you joined? What would they do if - god forbid - you were unwell or had an accident and ended up off for a few weeks? With 25-30 people in the office they should have a better business continuity plan than 'workisanightmare will do it and if she can't we'll scrabble around and figure out something'.

The fairest way is to do a rota where people take it turns to stay til 5. That's what we do in our office. It means some days you're 8-4, somedays 9-5 etc etc but it means we always have cover and you're not the only one having to stay late which seems very unfair.

Well, the OP is perfectly entitled to submit a request and I’m sure she’s not bothered that you don’t like it.

They must have other cover if you’re on holiday or sick, OP, so I understand why you’d be upset.

nope. has to be a valid reason - and just because you want to allow everyone else to do it instead is not one. It could be construed as a number of things including constructive dismissal or discrimination (if you have a protected characteristic). Speak to ACAS instead of the idiots on here!

https://www.tuc.org.uk/guidance/under-what-circumstances-can-my-employer-refuse-my-request-flexible-working