urgent help needed - flexi working Q

[vasillisa]

Still battling on with the flexible working thing...have suggested a jobshare in my application (i work full time in a front desk capacity)but keep getting told the business does not support jobshares...

if you can you cast your eyes over what a HR person sent me today if you get time tonight, am going to be speaking to my manager tomorrow.

HR says the organisation ''does not support a ?job share? arrangement which is specifically where two people share a contract and have equal responsibility for the delivery of that contract......
This differs from a full time role delivered by 2 individuals employed part time on two individual contracts. The appropriateness of two individuals to work in the latter way would be determined by the business.''

Does this latter thing have a name? Is this not a kind of jobshare? are they trying to wiggle on a technicality (manager being unhelpful and delaying tactics since autumn last year...)

should i have worded my flexible working app differently? CAB says it makes it pretty hard for an organisation to comply with flex working policy if they rule out jobsharing per se.

Thanks

I think they are being pedantic and I don;t think they are technically correct, a job share is where a role is split to allow two or more people to perform it. I have never come across an organisation making a distinction in the way they are seeking to. I'd say "ok lets look at option 2".

Remember you only have the right to request to work flexibly and to have that application considered. It can be rejected if they have a good business reason. You were employed on a full time contract when you took the role. That is all they are obliged to give you. It is very easy to come up with good reasons why most jobs can't be performed flexibly if the business is minded to take that stance.

thanks littleredsquirrel

yes, i know i only have 'right to request'.

its a sticky wicket all right as to who thinks what is a 'good reason' hmm....and whether it would stand up as valid in an appeal?

They said splitting the ftime post would lead to consistency issues (apart from manager and supervisor i am only ftime all year member of our team.)

From my point of view, given current climate am trying to sort money/time situation with benefit to my family...but in interest of public spiritedness... I actually don't think the business would suffer if they split the post..honestly!

AIBU??

its always possible that one is mistaken.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I work flexibly. But I advise buinesses all the time on this sort of thing and they frequently see it as a problem and they look for "business reasons". Problem is that whilst you can appeal they'll just repeat their reason (unless its so flawed that it would never be considered a good business reason)

I would say "I would like to work part time in my role. I am unsure as to how to label this but I would like to reduce my hours"

spoke to HR person and sent email today to ask formally for a decision - fingers crossed.

They said they will talk to the manager concerned to ensure decision forthcoming.

They also asked if trial period would be acceptable...so maybe I am getting somewhere...but not counting any chickens as yet!