Flexible working request refused, but no response to appeal ??

[jezebelle]

So, i am due to return to work in 2 weeks after having 2 years maternity !! eek, yes i got pg more or less straight away after first. I was full time, but requested 2 days, which is 15.4 hours, they offered 18.5 but i refused as that means i need 3 days childcare :(
Anyway i appealed, and in short they are out of time frame for a reply, i have unison involved as its local gov and they seem to think due to office stresses no appeal meeting will be happening soon :/ anyone know where i stand or what i should do ? the irony is its childrens services, not very child friendly :(

To be honest, I wouldn't bother appealling unless you can demonstrate why your proposal wouldn't be detrimental to the service. They offered you a compromise - the fact that you would have to pay for 3 days childcare isn't really their problem and therefore your appeal is unlikely to be successful.

My suggestion is that you speak with your manager or contact HR and ask for an update on your appeal. You have 3 options: 1) go back full time 2) take the 18.5 hours 3) try and regotiate but with a better business case.

And a final point, which will probably sound quite stroppy but it is meant with good intention. Your employer is running service and isn't there to suit you, just becuase you work in child services, it doesn't mean that have to give you what you want to the detriment of that service.

I don't think offering a compromise of three days means they are not child-friendly tbh.

Don't understand the point of the childcare. If you have to pay three days childcare for three days work, presumably you have to pay two days childcare for two days work? What's the difference? Unless the amount you earn in a day is less than the childcare costs per day, you'll still be better off doing three days, not worse off?

You are entitled to have your appeal heard. Have you spoken to your manager/HR to find out when you can expect your appeal hearing to be set for?

I think the issue with childcare is that the 3rd day wouldn't be a full working day but would be too long for 1/2 day childcare. If so what about suggesting that the 18.5 hours is worked over 2 weeks ie. 2 days on week one and 3 days on week 2, some of my staff work this pattern and it a good compromise.