Moan - part time request refused

[seven201]

There's no point to my thread really other than to help me get over it!

I requested flexible working of 4 days for when I return from maternity leave and it's been refused.

I know it's not the worst thing in the World, but I am feeling very sorry for myself. I'm also worried that I'm going to be angry at work for a while. Not good for my classes!

Oh no! What was the reason?

State school? England or elsewhere? Does anyone else in the school work part-time, particularly following ml?
Did they give a reason, and do you know what the appeal procedure is?
Have you asked your Union for help yet?
Why have you given up?

Thanks both. Head said they had considered the impact on the school as a whole, my department and tutoring. There are a lot of part time staff at my school, which was also included as a reason for rejecting (odd reason imo). In their defence she did say that if the number of part time staff reduces (very unlikely) or staffing within my department changes (unlikely as it's small and no-one has plans to leave) then they would reconsider my request if I wanted them to. They didn't mention this but they might change their minds once the GCSE option numbers are in, as that could impact things. She didn't give a business reason for rejecting my request. I'll speak to the Union rep tomorrow but he is pretty useless.

Sorry forgot to say state school in England. I know I can appeal (don't know the procedure but can find out) and will ask my rep about it.

There are proper procedures for requesting part time and it sounds like your head isn't following them. They can only refuse giving business reasons for rejection. If there are other part timers in the school then how do those business reasons apply to you and not them? That could be seen as discrimination.

If your school rep is useless, call the regional office. You have a limited amount of time in which to make an appeal.

Can you call your local union office rather than the school rep then, and ask for advice there. My understanding was that if it had been offered to others it was harder to refuse it to you, but I may be wrong. Can you yourself see a big problem? Four days sounds easy to manage to me! You just need to pursue the appeal, and definitely involve the union. It might not work but sometimes a bit of resistance is all it takes. Did you put your request on writing and make a good case for it?

X post with noble giraffe, who said it better than me.

Thanks both. I did put my request in writing and included that part time staff in the department work fine, how I already have split groups and they don't suffer etc. It could definitely work but they'd have to employ someone for 1 day a week which I guess is their main problem, although they didn't mention that. I'll speak to the school rep tomorrow and then ring regional if he's not useful.

Thanks again

Surely they can only claim it won't work if they have looked for a one day a week person and not been able to find one. Perhaps a part time person might want an extra day, or the school might find some way to reduce the timetable a bit - which would save them money, win win!

That's what I thought. We were slightly under staffed for a subject within our department last year and they found someone to do one day a week for that. The subject teacher happened to know someone who would like 1 day so they didn't advertise. We're a small department so they wouldn't be able to share out the extra lessons unfortunately. It might have just about worked but next year I think we're taking an additional yr 7 form. It might all change once the GCSE option numbers come through.

My HOD is very much 'oh dear, hopefully it will work out' so I don't think she'll want me to contest it, but I think I'm probably going to have to.

I don't want to piss anyone off as the head has been good to me. She was understanding with time off when my Mum was dying/died a couple of years ago. I work bloody hard and my students do really well so I don't think they're trying to get rid of me. I just can't see valid reasons for refusing and although I knew it wasn't a done deal, I had thought my request would be granted.

Thanks again for your advice.

Have you spoken to others in the school who work p/time?
I only ask because time tabling could cause a huge issue. I was 0.6 and the school wanted me in every day. Are you assuming you'd actually have a full day off?

That (whole days) is what I asked for and what all the other part time teachers (except one who wanted mornings only) get. I do appreciate that time tabling is a nightmare. I think their main reason for refusal is they'd have to employ a specialist teacher for one day a week. Which is do-able. I'm feeling hopeful that once GCSE and yr 7 numbers are in that they'll change their minds. Union rep said there isn't anything I can do. He didn't mention appealing and when I said I could he said yes but it wasn't a union matter really, although I could speak to him again if I did appeal and it was rejected. It's what I expected him to say as he always takes the path of least resistance! I emailed the head and said i'd pop and see her at some point and that I was disappointed but hopeful things might change. She replied that they will let me know if things change etc. (It was worded better / more positively than that). I'm not wanting it until Easter 2017 so I am hopeful that things will have changed by then. I only request so early as the nursery we're on the list on wanted to know what days I want. I'm feeling more positive today and am happy with my 'plan' of hoping it will all work out.

Sorry, that was a very rambling paragraph.

Thank you everyone for your advice.

The appeal may have a time limit so be wary of waiting for numbers to be in etc.
It is absolutely a union matter, please do consider contacting someone else higher up, it's an equality issue too.

They are very short-sighted. A one-day a week is what many retired/semi-retired/supply teacher would jump at.
Why do you not canvass around and see if there are teachers interested?

Good ideas. Thank you both!