Flexible working request refused.

[DonkeyTeapot]

They haven't even given me proper reasons, just said that they cannot accomodate my request due to business needs. I don't get it, the team is functioning ok without me there at all, so surely having me three days a week is an improvement? Why must they insist that I work five days?

I went in to meet them to discuss it, before the decision was made. They asked me to do different days than what I had requested. I agreed, even though it was not ideal for me, as I thought that agreeing to compromise would work in my favour. I understand that the needs of the business come first, so I agreed to their preferred days, and then they refused me anyway!

I don't drive (am having lessons), so have always caught the bus, but they are not terribly frequent and it's an hour's journey, so I'd leave the house at 7.30am and get home at 7pm. This was tough enough before I had DD, but it is simply not possible now. I'd barely be home in time to see her before bed, never mind eating a meal as a family. I am simply not prepared to go the whole week without seeing my daughter apart from at breakfast! Ok so where I live is not work's problem, but they have agreed flexible working for plenty of people, so why is it not possible for me? Am I that indispensable? That's very flattering, but, I suspect, bollocks.

I am going to look for work closer to home, but if I don't go back there, they can make me pay back my maternity pay. I feel like they are just doing it to show me who's boss. That is what the company is like, it's a case of "this is how it is, like it or lump it." The concept of a happy workforce being more productive and efficient is just not recognised there. Give and take? No such thing.

Sorry, this is a bit of a rant. I am writing to them to appeal against the decision, but I don't know what good it will do. The company has a very "tough shit" approach to individual circumstances.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Well they have to give you proper reasons so you def have grounds to appeal! These are the reasons: ■the burden of additional costs
■detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
■inability to re-organise work among existing staff
■inability to recruit additional staff
■detrimental impact on quality
■detrimental impact on performance
■insufficiency of work during the periods the employee proposes to work
■planned structural changes

Make sure your letter of appeal focuses on business needs. As you say, where you live is your choice, as is the fact that you can't drive. Keep it professional, ask for it to be on a trial basis before they refuse again. Good luck.

You may have hit the nail on the head when you said the team is functioning ok without you. Maybe they are trying to encourage you to leave and cope with one less member of staff on the payroll.

Strawberry That did occur to me. It's really the fact that so many other people have been able to go part time, yet they've refused me, that rankles.

I hav drafted a letter but think I'm going to go over it again and make some changes. The travel is not my main reason for wanting to go part time, although it is a massive pain in the rear. I actually would prefer to be a SAHM but don't think financially it is possible. Going back full time would mean I'd simply have to hand over raising my daughter to someone else, whilst I went back to a job I thoroughly detest. Not really a pleasant prospect.

None of the reasons Weaselbudge listed ring true (thanks for posting those), it's not a customer facing team, the work has already been distributed between existing team members (or how would they be functioning?) so quality and performance could only improve once I'm back, however many hours I work. In sufficiency of work on particular days doesn't apply really, there's always plenty for everyone!

I just don't know how to make it NOT personal, when my main reason for wanting to go part time is to spend time with my daughter.

Have PM'd you, but think you could benefit from speaking with an employment lawyer (they typically offer an hour free) as there are legal issues you may want to raise in your letter which would perhaps indicate they should take your request more seriously... or risk the possibility of leaving themselves open to a claim.

Thanks for your PM Blackswan, I hadn't thought about a lawyer as I know they don't legally have to accept my request. I will look around, but I only have 14 days to appeal so I'd better get a move on!

I have written my letter of appeal, and received a letter back asking me to go to an appeal meeting next week. Would really love to hear from anyone else who has been through this, successful or not.

Yes .
Unfortunately at the end of the day we can request it , and they have to consider it.
But that's legally where it ends.
I feel for you.

unfortunently I had to take what they offered (4 days not 3), we can ask but they don't have to accept, the reason I was given was business need, the market had changed whilst I was on maternity leave and they could no longer support a higher rate of part-time workers - its harder to change someones agreed hours than just turn down a new request hence there may be people in the company part time but doesn't mean they'll accept your request. Also is your job exactly the same as the other part timers?
The only way I shifted my working day (early start and early finish to get ds from school) and not work the friday was by disclosing my childcare costs if I worked that extra day. I effectively had to do a business case for my house hold .
Sorry I have nothing useful to add except lots of good luck for appeal x

Thanks Nanny & Incy. Fingers crossed.

I hate to say it but I was in exactly the same boat. They spoke openly in the office (when I wasn't there) about how they would be declining my request due to "not wishing to set a precedent". I put together a good strong business case to appeal and it was declined outright again with ludicrous reasons.

I totally respect those who want to fight but I got a new job I'll start in 10 months on a PT basis instead- might be worth a look as if you start talking re lega. Appeals? Not sure - call me cynical but I truly believe your card would be marked

I had my appeal meeting yesterday, with someone impartial, a senior manager who is not involved with my team at all. It went better than I thought it would, I was able to make all the points I wanted to make, and asked the questions I wanted to ask, and the manager at the end said he thought I had presented myself very well. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be successful.

Sk77 I am quite prepared to find alternative employment, if that's what it comes to. But if I hadn't appealed, I'd have just been meekly accepting their decision, even though it is based on nonsense. That's not me, I'm afraid. I think my card is probably already marked, I am one of those who challenges existing processes and procedures when there are better ways of doing things. It's not always popular, even if it means the end result is better.

I very much doubt they will change their minds, as an employee simply cannot be seen to "win." However, I am glad I appealed, and I'm happy that I will have done everything I can, and they know as well as I do that if they do refuse, it will be for spurious reasons.

I feel yr pain! I had my request refused after a meeting with my company (I took my union).
I was asking to work set days in the week with predominantly early shifts. They refused & gave reasons. They could do it if they wanted to,I'm the manager & tbh could just rota myself for what I want most of the time. I know they probably have mixed feelings about me returning. I get results but am on a relatively high salary for the role.
I have been advised by the union to appeal but the appeal goes to the person who ultimately made the decision. I know there are some fairly major problems in the section I'm returning to & will need the company's support.
I was then advised to write saying I'm disappointed with their decision but will try to work what they want but will want a review after a few months.

Well, as predicted, they have confirmed their refusal to accomodate my request. Everyone involved knows it's bullshit, but they are the employer, and therefore can pretty much do whatever the hell they like.

On the plus side, I am pregnant again, so if I do go back, it won't be for long. The alternative is find another job, but then they'll probably insist I repay the maternity pay I received.

Sorry to hear that - how totally rubbish of them when they have agreed it for other people. But congratulations that you are pregnant!

Thank you :)