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?

Apply for jobs that you are willing to work the hours they offer, you didn’t get your own way so expect people to feel sorry for you!

Everyone else there has a contractual change meaning that they do not have to do any lates, they can’t change everyone’s agreed working pattern for you.

Except in my interview I spoke about finishing early and how good it would be for me and they said they could accommodate that. When it turns out they can’t.

Read. The. Fucking. Thread.

I think that’s what’s annoying me. I am happily doing all the crap shifts so that 25 people all get to work flexibly but not a single one of them would do the same for me. It’s a kick in the teeth.

Do yourself a favour and stop replying to these idiots!

I among others have suggested what you should do. What do you think to those suggestions?

Right, but what if that appointment or funeral (god forbid) was after 3.30pm? They need a back-up plan!
What was the state of things before you joined, did they close at 3.30pm?

Well they can accommodate early finishes, they do for everyone else, so it’s not a lie they just can’t do it for you/everyone. Maybe when you interviewed they had someone else working 9-5.

Based on your first post I thought you were being unreasonable but the more you’ve said, the more unfair it seems to be especially if they all go to lunch together and just leave the newbie alone. It’s really exclusionary apart from anything else. I can’t see it’s going to get any better if they all think it’s ok.

Sounds like you were mislead during the interview process.
Very flexible in the company, but not for you.

Start job hunting again.
Put all your time and effort into that.

See I think this is unreasonable- those people all submitted and got their flexible working entirely separate to you. The problem is with the employer, not the people who got there first. They don’t owe you anything.

OP I would cut your losses and start looking for a new role.

it sounds like the hours don’t suit you, a bit of the trust has gone plus the annual leave policy isn’t being applied fairly.

Don’t burn any bridges but see if you can get something else

It's very off of them to promise flexibility at interview to entice you in, and then be totally inflexible once they've got you.

I'd look for another job, personally.

Its fine to feel disappointed.

But essentially your workplace doesn't exist to facilitate your preferences. If there's a need for you to be there until 5pm then that's that.

It’s not at all a nice ‘ethos’ to treat the most junior and newest staff member like that. If you have other options to apply for and aren’t too concerned about a short stint on your CV I would do that.

They have health and safety regulatory obligations towards you, which you could argue they are not fulfilling, unless they share information about their risk assessment and mitigation for you working alone.

don’t think they can require you to ‘make up’ time for medical appointments.

I used to work in retail and a member of staff was specifically responsible for ‘locking up’. This had been pre agreed, she was paid extra to do it and there were protocols in place to avoid her being alone.

Realistically though if I quit at least one of them will have to give up their early finishes

Quit then.

I’m going to. Sorry you couldn’t read the thread properly.

I think as they said in the interview process they would be flexible and they aren’t being I would leave. Yes last one in usually gets the bum deal and though not fair it is what happens. They are asking for 3 months notice for annual leave which I assume they are not asking if the other members of staff I would leave on this point alone. You have only been there 6 months and I’m not sure you can change their mind or argue the point. Plus I wouldn’t want to work for a company that I felt lied at the interview.

They should have told you that at the beginning. Get looking for another job

Doesn't answer the question of what happens when you’re on holiday? Is it OK during those times that there's no on e in? If so, that seems inconsistent to me.

I find it interesting, especially after the WFH that mainly started during lockdown, the number of people who seem to think they're doing their employers a favour by working!

I’ve said. I had a pre booked holiday and they honoured it (I think a manager stayed for the week), but from now on I need to give three months notice so they can “find cover”. I’m guessing it’ll mean the holiday gets cancelled at the last possible time

Three months notice for annual leave is unreasonable unless imposed on all staff or included in a relevant agreement in your contract. According to ACAS the legal requirement is twice as many days notice as the time you want to take unless your contract says otherwise.

https://www.acas.org.uk/checking-holiday-entitlement/asking-for-and-taking-holiday

The problem you face is that you have few rights after such a short time in the role unless you can show discrimination.

The company have got a bloody good worker who puts up with their shit. Most wouldn’t.

Covid made most of us realise that life isn’t just working and that employers CAN be a lot more flexible