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?

OP please find a new job, this employer is very poor. I have a background in managing SME businesses and what you are describing is exceptionally bad even for post-covid times.

No good employer would set up their business so that all the workers come in together early, take breaks together, socialise and leave mid way through the afternoon EXCEPT one very new/junior person who is expected to work alone for 90 minutes (hell not just 90 minutes but basically all day as their timimgs don't align with everyone else).
It also sounds like the managers don't manage or appear in the office either.
The lone working is poor because it is totally unnecessary, I would expect at least 2 people on site at all times and especially when locking up, there are not words to express how angry I feel on your behalf about you being told you are responsible if anything is taken/happens when you lock up.

Even when I was the MD, I hated locking up at night in the winter when it was dark. It was a very rare event as although I was often one of the last to leave, when it was time for the later workers to finish we all left together. Checking that all the cars started, giving lifts to town or whatever was needed.

The 3 months notice of leave and not being allowed any time off at Christmas when everyone else is just reinforces how bad they are.

Will you find it easy to get a better job?

I would walk now, and if this was my friend I would tell them to do the same, but have no idea of your financial situation.

This is exactly what I think.

but oh well. I’m gonna speak to ACAS and explore whether constructive dismissal could come up

You have every right to be annoyed and upset

However they have every right to say no can do too

Seems a bit mean they can't support you both what do they do for cover when your on annual leave

Fair enough to be disappointed. What about when you’re on annual leave, who covers until 5 then?

5pm isn’t that late though, you still have the evening to do what you want?

You agreed to the job knowing it was 9-5, and they considered your flexible workin request and it doesn’t suit business needs so it was denied. You don’t have a case.

They told me in the interview they would give me it.

Im also in a work environment that is incredibly uncomfortable and excludes just me.

It feels a lot later when you’re the only one there for an hour and a half. It’s obviously going to be a lot worse in a couple of weeks when I am leaving in the dark. I have about an hour’s commute and it can be up to an hour and a half when I factor in buses and traffic. All of that eats into my evening and are reasons why the boss told me they’d be happy to grant my flexible working request!

Constructive dismissal applies after 2 years employment. I think they have to have breached the contract. Not agreeing flexible working isn't breaching the contract. I do understand your annoyance though, just find another job as it doesnt sound like you like it much anyway

Everyone else is in established work patterns so you can't possibly expect everyone to change their lives because you want more productive evenings! If the shoe was on the other foot, you wouldn't be happy although I'm sure that you'll say on here that you'd be fine with it 😏

I think we need more context here - what’s the ‘cover’ till 5pm for? Are there just 2 in the office? What happens when you go on leave? What line of work are you in?

Oh Lord. This is why businesses hate having to employ new people.

Whilst they did offer you some flexibility, the key is that this has to fit the needs of the company.
If you’re needed to answer the phones until 5pm as part of your role then, surprise surprise, you may have to answer the phones until 5pm as part of your role.

No way this is written by an adult!

You signed up to work 9 - 5, how is that constructive dismissal 😂

Exactly this. All this fuss over 90minutes. Get another job if it doesn’t suit you, but don’t expect everyone to shift to accommodate.

If cover is needed in the office till 5pm how come you will be the only one there past 3.30pm?

Good luck with ACAS. They all appear to read off a script, then send you a copy of the script they’ve been reading off!

Constructive dismissal? Really?

but their offer and the reality are two very different things.

im the only one in the office past 3:30 everyday. Im left alone to lock up, and to walk across a dangerous industrial estate alone. I have different annual leave conditions to everyone else in the office. I’m excluded from all breaks, lunches and meals after work because of the different in my working pattern.

That’s ridiculous, three months’ notice? Are you allowed to go off sick?

What exactly did they agree to at interview stage, because you've been quite vague? Previously, you've only said that they said they were flexible, but if they specifically agreed to earlier hours, did they explain why this wasn't reflected in the terms that you signed/ agreed to?

We chatted about their culture - how they’re super flexible, they enjoy seeing their employees thrive out of work etc. I commented that this was brilliant because even starting at 8:15 and finishing at 4:15 would be a game changer for me because it means i can go to the gym/go running after work. They immediately said they’d be able to accommodate that and that my hours in my contract would be 9-5, but they’d do the flexible working request as soon as I put in the request. For various reasons it’s taken me a while, but I’ve also not actually signed the contract yet.

Yanbu to be annoyed
Yabu to expect any different outcome.

Not sure why I'll health would prevent someone covering til 5pm but you must have been aware if this already?

Maybe the 2 of you could spilt the til 5pm component.

I bet you wouldn’t swap your colleagues hours for her health issues!

why not be a bit more of a helpful employee and go with a plan eg ascertain the workload between 4.15 and 5pm and ask for a compromise eg 4.30 or 4.45 or could I finish earlier 2 days a week and stay late a couple (if that would be helpful to them) . Go with solutions not problems or asks which are all about you - try and find a hook as to something could benefit the service.

Did they ever offer you could finish at 3:30pm?

What you’re saying is spurious and, largely, irrelevant. Are you suggesting the industrial estate is safe until 3:30pm but dangerous beyond 5pm? And you’re happy for a colleague to pick the baton up? If it’s such a dodgy place, get a new job ffs.

This is NOT constructive dismissal but you wanting to change your contract to suit a hobby or desire and simply having your request declined.

They have told OP that she needs to request annual least at least 3 months in advance so that they can find cover for her.