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think my flexi request is going to be knocked back - help

1 reply

Griblet · 31/03/2012 12:05

Namechanger as this will out me together with my previous posts on my current username

I work for a company in a notoriously hated cutthroat industry. They are not family friendly at all - when I announced I was pg with DC1 and returned after OML I wasnt back on the same account, they got away with it by just giving me the same job title, and tbh I didnt wan to be badged as a troublecauser (you cards are marked if you question anything they do). With DC2 as soon as I told them I was pg they took me off an account because I was going to be on mat leave when they retendered for it so didnt want me to be named in it, told me I wont be getting my company car back when I return, had my contacts taken off me to pass on to someone else and all sort of other stuff.

I was on flexible working previously, but only finishing an hour earlier to collect DC1, and I worked through lunches and started earlier to make the time up, but even this was a struggle to get agreement.

Now i have asked for further flexible working as I will have no childcare for a day and a half. I have sent my request but have stated that wherever possible I would work extra, if family are on annual leave etc they have offered to have the children so have said on these days I will come into work (no expectation for time in lieu / extra pay). One of the days can be a fairly 'critical' day but I can do what I need to do from home and have said I will use my own phone and emails and again will not expect any expenses or time in lieu / pay. I have also said I can go into work on weekends if needed to catch up on any non-urgent work, again no pay / time expected. Have also stated I can make arrangements with enough notice (family will help out but cant all the time) so I can cover for holidays / busy periods and again I stated that I will do this without pay / time in lieu. If worse comes to the worse I can even go ito the office on the days I am not working if anything needs sorting out urgently that I cant do on the phone (unlikely), as my mum is able to leave work at short notice for emergencies so could mind the children for an hour or two.

So basically I can be flexible if urgently needed, and I feel I have offered a hell of alot in return.

Ive been asked to go into the office for a meeting, I know they are going to say no. As it stands I cant see any good reason why they would but as I say they are not family friendly, I was very highly thought of with a fast track to a good career with them, but now I have children I am not as 'hungry' as I once was (ie. I dont work til 7pm anymore and my whole life isnt work work work, I dont get shitfaced on works do's etc so am boring) and they dont like it at all.

Does anyone have any pointers / tips to help me convince them that I can make this work?

OP posts:
Tweet2tweet · 04/04/2012 19:55

Hi Griblet
Your situation sounds very tough. I had a difficult time getting to leave early twice a week but got agreement based on flexible hours 'subject to review'. However I work in an evironment that is supposed to be very 'child friendly'- they are just being hard on me for some reason.
Your industry (which I worked in if my guess is correct) is not child friendly and if you're working in the city you may find it very tough. I would recommend that you keep a log of the hours that you are working and any communications you have on your role, work and performance. That way if you are penalised or put in a difficult situation in a performance review you can refer to it.
I would suggest that you consider a transfer to another part of the organisation if you want to find it more child friendly, you may find less bonus, salary etc but there usually is a trade off.
I retrained in the end and left the industry completely- not easy, scary and took a fair pay cut (will also never have the career prospects or chance to earn anywhere near as much). However in general the hours are okay and the pressure is nothing like it was. Hope things work out for you.

T2tx

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