Bad flexible work application meeting - advice please!

[dollysocks]

Just come back from a meeting with work.

Made a flexible work application apx 4 weeks ago. Thought it was reasonable. I have to return to work 5 days a week, partly to make job worthwhile money wise but also because boss doesn't want me working part time.

So I have asked for late start and early finish 30 minutes each end. And offered to compress lunch to make up some time. Also asked for 1 home working day.

Two other women in team with little ones have work from home day/s. And there is a good business case for my role to work in this way.

Boss doesn't want me to compress lunch, so
have agreed to have slightly fewer contracted hours. (Not my preferred option because I'll be paid less, but there we go).

However because this is not the deal the other women have - they flexitime and work an extra 30mins at start of the day he says he is unlikely to approve my work from home day.

This doesn't seem right to me.

I thought I was going to be given information at the meeting about how my boss suggests we move forward - but all he did was moan for about an hour about how difficult my request is. I honestly don't feel as though there was much in the way of positive contribution on the side of my work.

And, I think they've got everything they need from me in my application - which was well thought through and carefully written.

I got the distinct feeling I was being asked to change my application when I actually feel as though they're getting a good deal already.

Really unsure what to do next....
Feel as though I should have made a much more unreasonable application in the first place so that now I would have something to bargain with.

And now I'm screwed because I actually put forward the way I want things to work and they want to screw more out of me

Seriously worried and also quite angry
:(

As you know you only have the right to request, so as long as they put forward good reason not to grant it they can. And what others do is irelevant to your request.

Are they offering anything in terms of a change in working hours? It's fine for them to say"we can't give you what you requested, but we can offer an alternative"

I couldn't work out from your post quite what is making you angry?

Thanks for posting to me.

I'm angry for a few reasons.

Firstly, and probably most importantly I don't feel as though I was given any clear business reasons why my role can't work in the way I have suggested yesterday.

(Other people and their arrangements were mentioned by my manager throughout).

But this meeting follows another earlier more informal meeting with my boss prior to Christmas.

At it we agreed that my job was not workable as a part time role.

At this meeting I asked whether I could use my accrued leave to come back part time. And was told no.

Yesterday my boss kept stating that my application was a perfect solution for me.

Where as I would simply describe it as a workable solution for us both.

I have made compromises to what my original request would be, based on our last meeting.

A perfect solution for me would have been 2 work from home days - not 1.

I have gone out of my way to find a nursery place in plenty of time so that I can end my maternity leave early and return to work soon. Again I feel that this is something that shows my willingness to help my work place.

Yesterday I also suggested that I return on revised working hours, altered contract for a set period, which is then reviewed. And at the end of it, if things are not working out I will look into other childcare options.

So, I feel as though I am trying to make things work, whilst they are simply moaning that my return in this way makes things very difficult for them.

Really sorry, but your posts come across as if you expect the company to do what you feel is best for you, and not what is best for them.

This "I have gone out of my way to find a nursery place in plenty of time so that I can end my maternity leave early and return to work soon" seems like a really odd thing to say.

You've chosen to go back to work early, no? In which case, you've made the necessary arrangements for childcare to enable you to do so. That isn't a favour to your work place, it's

No employer can force you to return from maternity leave early, it's your right to 12 months maternity leave.

Your return to work on different terms probably is difficult for them.

Presumably the hours worked previously were in place for a reason - ie: that was what they needed and how they needed the job to be done?

I think my best advice is to try and detach emotionally from this, and try to see both perspectives.

Just because you think it's a good business case, doesn't mean it is. They will have a different perspective.

I hope that doesn't sound harsh. I realise it's not easy.

To be honest I think many employers are against working from home ,they may have agreed reluctantly in the past but in the current climate are taking a harder line.At the end of the day you can only ask.Fingers crossed you can reach a compromise.Is thee anyone else that you could get involved eg HR,is 'your boss' your line manager Good luck,it's not easy

Surely if you have submitted a formal flexible working request, they have to reply in writing either turning down your offer with clearly explained business reasons, accepting it, putting a counter offer to you.

If you feel that they don't follow the process properly then you can appeal.

dollysocks I had a fairly similar experience today at my return to work meeting.
I had listened to work concerns and amended my application to suit them more. And now they are using that as the starting position and trying to make me work more hours.

I think that it is true that in this current climate companies are taking a harder approach.

Before all this I thought the law was on the side of the employee iyswim. But in reality it seems the employer can come up with any lame business reason to reject it.

Mine is 'client expectations and delivering client service' whatever that means.

I'm going to return to work on their terms in the short term but am looking for another job immediately.

It's all very well that there is an appeals process in place but in my industry I can't afford to get a reputation as a trouble maker, which is exactly what would happen if I kicked up a stink.

I personally am sad that I've been a loyal employee for eight years, always given that bit more when needed etc. And now I do feel I'm being treated unfairly. So you're not alone!

Thanks for all your posts - I really do appreciate them
Even the ones telling me to suck it up :)

Does it make a difference if my boss has said any of the following

'I am surprised that you want to come back to work full time so soon after having a baby?'

It is highly inconvenient when people leave the work place for 12 - 14 months at a time. It makes planning impossible.

Just because it's true - does it mean it has a place in these sorts of meetings - I'm not sure it does..But I'm getting off the point

I would see those comments as inappropriate but no it doesn't make much difference. He can still turn down your request on business grounds.

I would see those comments as inappropriate but no it doesn't make much difference. He can still turn down your request on business grounds.

Yep, he can.

I've amended my application so its less helpful to me and more helpful to work.

Lets see what they say now...