Flex work request

[treeteips]

I was working four days a week since I went back to work after my 16 year old was born. I was given the job of team leader and after 18 months of a demanding job I want to work a 9 day fortnight. Same hours just one rest day.

It's been refused due to business needs and Because all management above work 9 days and my team keep on leaving/not passing probation.

Aibu in thinking it's wrong

I work 5 days. I worked 16 years only 4 days on 4 days pay.

You have the right to ask. They don’t have to agree, but they do have to give you the reason which has to be in line with the 8 allowable business reasons.

What others have is not something you can demand outright. There may be roles where it doesn’t work or too many people with those arrangements already.

And your attitude about your team lead responsibilities stinks.

(professional HR terminology.)

I’m thinking the would be best to agree to this. I suspect performance and culture will improve on that day. They may even realise they are better without OP in her current ‘leadership’ role.

I've been told it's lack of commitment especially as I used to work 4 days (informally from someone in the staff room). I also have had to had time off due to stress at work and I wanted more of a work life balance.

You're Team Lead of a problematic team, but you want to leave them to their own devices on two days a month. Can you not see, from a business or managerial point of view, how this could be a problem. And why they don't want to let you do this. There are problems while you're present, how could they expect things to improve if you're not?

Only you don't think you're responsible in any way, despite your leadership role.

Because it's one day every two weeks.

Problematic - they are the problems. What about my manager, she can help

The role of a team leader is to mentor and coach their team members so they are able to do a good job and make a positive contribution. Your attitude is the opposite of this: they're useless and it's not my problem. Your manager will have her own job to do. Why should she agree to spend two days each month leading a team you have failed to manage yourself?

But it's your job, not hers!

Are you okay, OP? There’s something a little off here.

Agree. And completely muddled and poor at explaining what is going on. Because 4 days a week (8 out of 10) which you say at the start you are currently doing is less than 9 out of 10.

This is completely irrelevant though as you are now in a different job.

If your communication style and attitude is the same in work as it is here, I am not surprised you keep losing members of your team

Because they have a completely different job role?

There are problems while you're present, how could they expect things to improve if you're not?

Tbh the way she speaks about her staff and colleagues and to people on here maybe they do get more done when she's not there!

Your posts are very confusing. If this is how you team lead, no wonder your team are leaving and not passing promotion.

Would they be more inclined to agree if you went to 0.9 rather than compressed?

Shouldn't your focus be on your team and why they are not passing probation and leaving early?

You don't sound as if you are that engaged with this role. Maybe you should leave and let the Team have a chance of a better Manager, instead of just wanting what you can get from the job.

And how do you feel about “lack of commitment” comment from a colleague?

BTW the 4 days you used to work is irrelevant in all of this.

everything you say is about you and what you want. How about thinking how this impacts for your co-workers, your manager, and your team. If the role isn’t working for you now that’s ok. Start looking for a fresh start in a new company. Or propose a role in this one that would work for you.

OP, please re read this whole thread in a few days time with a clear head. Perhaps then you will see the consensus is that you are the problem in this sad situation. Take a step back and listen.
You don’t have to work in a management or leadership role. It’s not for everyone. That’s ok.

I wouldn't recruit you for any kind of leadership role regardless of hours, you don't seem to understand what leadership responsibilities are. I say that as someone in a senior role who works 5 in 4, I run a highly performing team, they were not highly performing under previous leadership. I got them into a better position and then put my request in. If they are not performing it is your responsibility it's why you get extra money....

Why not get a formal reason rather than listening to staff room gossip?

I have several colleagues who compress 10 days into 9. Whilst many of them are very diligent and do a good and conscientious job, some of them don't really do any more work on their longer days than those working a "standard" day and just see it as a way to get a day off whilst being paid the same. I clearly don't know you, but, possibly unfairly, your answers on this thread have given me the strong impression that you are more likely to be in the second group. If your managers think the same, this might be why they have rejected your request.

You officially enter a request they have to consider it and have give you a business reason why you can’t have it

If I were you op I would sincerely request to go back to your old role on 4 days a week.

If the job is causing you stress, you don’t enjoy the role and people management, take a step back and do the work you are experienced in 4 days a week so you can rest.