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Work

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Original poster

Arse...work have refused my flexible working request...WWYD?

20 replies

PussinJimmyChoos · 12/07/2010 20:38

DS due to start school in Sept so put in a request to reduce my hours. Request refused on grounds that detrimental to business, not enough staff after I leave etc and I fully understand and see that so that is not the issue

My issue now, is what to do next? They have said they would consider my moving down a grade as the work less critical and could be done in reduced hours but don't fancy that

Thing is, am TTC atm and so have to factor in that also..if get pg that is

So tempted to quit..wonder if telling them ok I'll quit will make them reconsider...doubt it..not like I'm Sr'Alan is it

OP posts:

AnyFuleKno · 12/07/2010 20:46

Can you request to move your shift earlier/later and use childminder to cover the other end of the day?

LunaticFringe · 12/07/2010 20:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

PussinJimmyChoos · 12/07/2010 20:55

Well, although DS in nursery three days a week now, I've always maintained that when he starts school, I want to be able to drop him off and pick him up

Never used a childminder before and am just not keen on the idea although obv a lot of people use them and love them...mmm...

Am having visions of telling them shove it up your arse and being SAHM and baking lovely cupcakes and having clean house without laundry permanently hanging around ...

OP posts:

blueshoes · 12/07/2010 21:49

You would be replaced in a flash. Doubt if your employer is worried on that score.

It is your decision to make whether you want to leave or stay or change terms and use childcare.

moaningminniewhingesagain · 12/07/2010 21:56

I would try to stick with the current plan, hopefully get pregnant and get on Mat Leave, and then see about reducing hours or poss downgrading when you go back?

As you don't want to reduce your income too much before possible Maternity pay.

I think about reducing my hours all the time at the moment but have a feeling my workplace will be shedding lots of staff soon so am just holding fire for now.

Is it doable without reducing your hours?

Original poster

PussinJimmyChoos · 12/07/2010 22:24

Not really..as I want to be able drop off/pick up DS

I've just been thinking though, SMP is the same regardless of what you earn isn't it??

So, all that extra hassle just to hold out for the SMP...is it really worth it - all three of us getting ready at same time, DH going to work, my dropping DS off to school, two buses to work, two buses home and then picking DS up...

OP posts:

violethill · 13/07/2010 07:29

I assume you work 3 days a week currently as you say your ds is in nursery 3 days? In which case, you would still have two days a week to drop off/pick up from school, and organise a CM for the other days, preferably someone who has other kids at the school so he'll get to know them. I'm sure it's just the change to routine you're worrying about. If your ds was fine with nursery, he'll be fine with this. Also, I would organise some annual leave so you're around more for those early days at school. But honestly, I think the whole drop off and pick up is over rated - read some of the school gate threads!! You may well be glad to get back to work!! Personally I wouldn't chuck a job in just for this reason - and the reality wouldn't be baking cupcakes and a spotless house, you'd probably be itching to get back to work! If you were using childcare full time, then I would see your point a bit more, but honestly, 3 days of sorting some after school care isn't a big deal.

If I've misunderstood your post, and you work full time but only use nursery 3 days at the moment, then I would continue whatever care you have on the remaining two days to drop off and pick up.

seeyoukay · 13/07/2010 10:46

Is there a law as to how many times you can ask for Flexible working.

A bit like Andy in the Shawshank Redemption just request it every day until they give in - I don't think it says you can only give 1 request at a time :D

Theyremybiscuits · 13/07/2010 10:54

When I applied for flexible working and to have time off when my DS was not in school, I explained in my letter that staff could easily be brought in from an agency etc the time I was not present.

They have to have a very good reason why you cannot have flaxible working.

I got it.

KnottyLocks · 13/07/2010 11:33

It took me two attempts to get flexible working hours. Your employers have to come up with very sound reasons why you can't have it. I did have to downgrade though, but with a small child I was actually happy to do that.

Have you considered asking for Parental Leave as a short term measure until your child is settled at school? It is unpaid though. I took this when DS1 started school as being one of the youngest he started part-time and there was no way I could work and drop him off/ pick him up. Our families live away so that wasn't an option and finding a childminder to take him on for only 4 weeks was impossible.

My employer was happy to accommodate the Parental leave request as it meant that they could use my wages for this short time to pay for temporary cover. It would also buy you some time to sort out long term childcare arrangements.

Original poster

PussinJimmyChoos · 13/07/2010 21:56

I think that as a working mum, who has to have time off when DS sick and then again when I catch what DS has (and I invariably do!) that they don't want to make too much effort to accomodate me as I think perhaps deep down, they want rid

We had one team member who wanted to move to Birmingham to be with his wife's family and they allowd it. He's now commuting to us two or three times a week..other people have said its not great and he needs to be in the office but its allowed - but he's up their arses...I'm not

OP posts:

rookiemater · 14/07/2010 21:27

Are you full time at the minute, or are you 3 days, if its 3 days can you not change your hours so you can do pick up each day ?

Original poster

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/07/2010 21:33

3 days ...have asked to change my daily hours so I can do pick up, but means leaving the office at 2pm and they are boffing on about cover...we are getting more staff in at some point but they are arguing the new staff won't be trained up enough to cover for me for a while yet...

But, we are not external customer facing..I can see that it means less bodies in the office, but I don't feel that anything that urgent comes in on such a regular basis that merits my not being there an issue, but of course, they don't see it like that

OP posts:

rookiemater · 14/07/2010 21:36

Can you compromise. DS starting 9-3 in August and I will be doing 2 full length days, 2 short days and one non working day. Ideally I would do 4 short days ( or win the lottery and do none at all) but feel that DS being in after school club 2 days a week is acceptable to me, whereas 4 days a week isn't.

Original poster

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/07/2010 21:44

No as the school doesn't have a breakfast/after school club

Not fan of childminders doing pick ups either...

Its weird, he's done full days at nursery, but I think I'm quite traditional in that when they are at school, I think that they need to be able to go home and chill out, rather than do anything else - but that's just my take on it

OP posts:

violethill · 15/07/2010 06:45

It sounds like an anxiety thing (yours, not your ds's) because it really isn't very logical to get in a stress about other forms of childcare when he's already used to nursery days. I would still be inclined to sort out a CM for the 3 days you work, and then do two pick ups yourself. If the CM has her own children at the school (highly likely if you find someone happy to do the pick up) then he'll probably love it.

I kind of see where you're coming from, because at nursery, the other mums are all likely to be working, so it is the 'norm', whereas at school, some mums will and some won't - so maybe this is about your anxiety about whether you are doing the 'right' thing rather than any actual issue with your ds IYSWIM.

I personally would not chuck my job in at this point. You may get bored (and skint!) very quickly and be desperate to get back. It just doesn't seem worth it for the sake of 3 days childcare arrangements for picking up. Also, you will get to keep much more of your earnings now you don't have nursery fees all day!!

ginger2000 · 15/07/2010 07:03

Hi - i know its difficult to hear when you have decided you want to do pick ups, but I agree with Violethill that it isn't a problem using childcare after school and you will be surprised how many mums use 'other people' to pick up and drop off e.g. CMs, grandparents, each other! From Year 1, schools tend to run loads of clubs which wil mean he might want to stay later anyway. I wanted like you to be able to drop off an pick up as I thought I (And DD) would really miss out - that I wouldn't meet mums, she wouldn't get invited to tea etc but that really hasn't happened (have had to keep working f-t for financial reasons) and she has a thriving social life and loves the after school club (and has always loved Childminders too) Her teacher sends notes home for me if she wants me to know/see things. I am by far, not the only working mum in reception. 2 days a week picking/dropping up will be loads to communicate etc with teachers/parents.
I am now 28 wks pg and looking forward to 6 months where I can do school runs but will have no hesitation returning to other arrangments when I return. Ultimately though, only you know how you feel and if you can afford to leave! GOod luck with your decision!!

rookiemater · 15/07/2010 19:08

Another option, you have rejected the reduced grade option out of hand, but surely compared to no salary at all then it could work as a compromise so you get to do the hours that you feel will suit you as a family and retain a job albeit at a somewhat reduced income.

PowderMum · 16/07/2010 20:38

From an employers point of view, if you have been declined a change in your hours because of the needs of the business I would hope that the company have followed procedure.

As a working parent, who has hardly ever done a school run, I have to say that I am struggling to feel any sympathy for your plight especially as you will be able to do the school run twice a week.

The decision that you need to make (sorry) is do you want to work or to do the school run as it seems that the 2 are not compatible.

tribpot · 16/07/2010 20:52

I sympathise because I share your view, esp about after school club (until I found out ds' friend gets to play on the Wii at ours! Now I want to go every day!). To me it feels wrong that they would be told 'end of school, time to go, except you, you and you'. Although I haven't had to, I wouldn't feel the same about before school club, and I wonder if you need to reach that compromise mentally. I am 'lucky' in that my dh is too ill to work so ds has never been full-time at nursery and we don't use either club at school, although contemplating after school for the winter term after I basically had 8 weeks of not being in the office for more than 4 hours a day because the snow was feet deep and dh's wheelchair couldn't make it out.

I will add that it is hugely disruptive if you're used to a normal 9-5 type day to have to do both school runs, even if you live reasonably close to work as I do.

If I were you I would try and compromise on the before school aspect.

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