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?

That’s not good enough OP, they know you are a lone worker - they have a duty of care to you. In case you’re interested, recommend you check out the Health and Safety Executive:

“Lone working: Protect those working alone” which includes “2. Manage the risks of working alone
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, you must manage the risk to lone workers.
Think about who will be involved and which hazards could harm those working ………”

Hope you find something else soon, they sound a terrible employer. 3 months notice for a holiday is ridiculous and something so unreasonable ought to have been in writing in your contract, and discussed at interview, as it’s clearly way off what most people would expect.

I’d try and appeal it on the bases they sold you the job by telling you it was flexible and that’s a lie. If it doesn’t work it doesn’t matter as you are planning to leave anyway.

And I know it’s frustrating when people don’t read all the OPs posts, but you’d have been better putting the key info about them saying it was a flexible job etc into the OP rather than adding it after and being rude and swearing at posters who haven’t read all your posts. You missed stuff and so have other posters, no need to snipe so much!

That's life.

The other colleague has health reasons why they can't cover until 5. You simply don't want to as it will be better for your work/life balance.

Whilst it's understandable that you made the request and that you're disappointed to have been refused it-it's equally reasonable and understandable for the business to reject it on those grounds.

I have to lock up, turn off all lights etc. it’s down to me and it’s been made clear if there’s a break in etc then they’ll be looking to me to replace anything taken.

You're not being unreasonable to be annoyed, but the company is perfectly within its rights to prioritise business needs over your convenience, so you're unreasonable not to accept that the annoyance is basically unavoidable.

They're terrible employers. I hope you find something soon. One late night a month for everyone sounds fair to me. I also wouldn't want to be leaving on my own in the dark. Also the annual leave is not right.
Just read your latest update. They cannot hold you responsible for security that way above your pay grade.
At this point I'd tell them to shove their job.

I have to lock up, turn off all lights etc. it’s down to me and it’s been made clear if there’s a break in etc then they’ll be looking to me to replace anything taken.

Your flexible working request is the least of your worries.

Are you in a position to leave without another job to go to? If so quit tomorrow.
If not you need to be applying for basically everything going and get out of there asap because that's a ridiculously shit workplace.

Is that in your contract? Seems weird that you are held responsible for the site if you are junior!

That is bonkers. They are treating you like a dogsbody. Definitely get out asap

3 months notice to take a day off is absolutely not reasonable.

You are not being targeted OP but the fact that you are the newest is relevant. Staff agree working hours with management. One of them leaves and another person starts and they are given the hours available. When one of your colleagues leaves you may get the chance to change your hours, but you can't expect your colleagues to change their agreed hours to suit you.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/index.htm

They have a legal obligation towards you regarding line working.

Speak to acas and ask to see their risk assessment for you leaving late by yourself.

3 months notice for holiday seems VERY inflexible?! Does everyone else need to give 3 months notice?

I'd start asking for a day off with 2-4 weeks notice, to start trying to prove a point.

Get out of this place, OP! You are worth so much more than this.

What do you mean you do 24/7? I thought you said you work 9-5, not shifts.
How do they cover 3.30-5 when you're off?

You can’t imagine a condition where it is worse later in the day? I certainly struggle past 3pm and going in later won’t help as my energy levels will still run out by 3pm

Reading all your updates, it does seem quite ridiculous that there are approximately 25-30 people working there, but only you are in the office after 3.30pm.

Honestly op, I would be looking for another job.

Oh my gosh! Get out! Get out of there!!!

I feel angrier for you with each update OP. I really hope you find a new job soon.

Ok but they could be calling about a task that you personally would be able to perform. Or are you basically performing the task of receptionist. Just because it's not busy it doesn't mean the bosses want the appearance of the place being shut. Do people walk in and hoc off the street, is it a public facing business? I think I can see how it may be reasonable for someone to need to be there.

They should have insurance cover for burglaries!

I wonder if the T&Cs stipulate who is responsible for the security of the building. I can’t imagine that would be the most junior staff member.

They sound like terrible employers.
Look for another position - you can explain why you want to leave.

We’re not on a high street, we’re on an industrial estate. Without going into too much detail we supply parts to trades (in the loosest terms), and about 90% of our business is done by email. Nothing is ever so urgent it must be done that day, so that’s why if they’re calling after half three they leave a message.

Discrimination based on what characteristic?

I don't think op is being discriminated against but some elements of this are quite unfair.

A few thoughts op, as a HR professional. You're conflating your annoyance at being in the office on your own every afternoon with the flexible working request. They're two separate things but both valid. You can't appeal based on the fact you don't like being on your own.

Other people's circumstances and arrangements are none of your business. Keep well out of it. Unfortunately the nature of flexible working is it is first come first served, the business needs to function. Moaning about someone else's disabilities or health conditions won't make you look good

The fwr form at my workplace invites the employee to suggest how the new arrangement would be covered, for example a colleague wants more hours so they can swap or moving all meetings to a different day. I think if you want a successful appeal you might need to engage in conversation that goes beyond 'its not fair'. Presumably they hired someone 9-5 due to the office needing cover at that time. They are well within their rights to say no

Sounds like my old role. I was expected to work 10-6 in a small team of 3. The other 2 worked 8-4. I asked if i could do in rota that they said no because the other staff wanted to work early! I left eventually and they had to cover it.

I know you've already said it, but I'd be looking for a new job. In the meantime, I'd insist on a thorough lone working risk assessment, it is their legal duty, and I'd be trying to get their attitude towards potential theft in writing. It may be useful if you ever felt constructively dismissed.