Flexible working request refused - what now?

[DrMouse]

Planning to go back to work in January after ML.
Have been refused to go part time - I'm not surprised just disappointed. Is there anyway I can fight the decision or do I just have to suck it up?
Part of me thinks fighting to go part time might just lead to more up hill struggle and might not be worth it.
Should I use this as a opportunity to do something new?

You can appeal - why was it turned down?

well - they would allow it if I can find someone to take the other half of my job (which would be very difficult).

However, I wasn't replaced while on ML (work has been absorbed by colleagues) so my argument was that I could take back some but go part time.

Where abouts in the country are you OP? Are you in London/SE?

Maybe your colleagues weren't happy about having to absorb the extra work for no extra pay? I've worked in places where maternity leave hasn't been covered, and I have resented doing the extra. I'd certainly have fought against keeping the extra work on a long term basis, so maybe that's why they have said no. Are you sure you can't find someone else to job share?

I think there is a big difference between covering something temporarily are making it part of your job forever. I can see why that wouldn't be a runner unfortunately for you.

Can you think about reshuffling the bits you would do to make the other half of a job share more appealing?

Katie- I'm in London working for NHS (I'm not a 'real' Dr though!)

The problem with finding someone to share the job is it is very specialist and a small field so not many people about.

WoodBetweenTheWorlds - Your right...I know... but what can I do? I don't want to work full time now. Plus it has been an awful time for my collegues - they have been making redundancies and squeezing costs everywhere (which is why I thought I would would be granted the request - in order to save money).

Maybe I should look at this as time to leave and try something new?

Just feel a bit down - have spent many years training - thought I had a career and now have to choose between it and my DD.

ooh just found this rather good website ...

www.workingfamilies.org.uk/

Ah if you're in London then getting a job share partner is much easier. They obviously feel full time cover is the best option and are happy for you to job share. That is a good thing because short-term redistribution of workload is fine until it becomes permanent and then it becomes stressful for those picking up the extra on top of normal workloads (and it may have been stressful before). It sounds like they're wanting to accommodate you so I think you need to work with them.

Because you're in NHS I think there is already a job share board? If so perhaps request they load a vacancy for your job share now to give time for candidates to come forward. Good part time jobs are like hen's teeth so you may be surprised how many people would be interested in part time working - not just mothers but fathers and those of the sandwich generation with elderly parents to care for.

Another option if you're in London is to advertise on Women Like Us who are a social enterprise set up specifically for flexible and part time jobs. It costs £150 for a listing but that's much cheaper than the cost of replacing you.