can i be forced to not do specific days

[wrinklytum]

I work pt for the nhs.Currently I work 20 hours but am on ml and am taking the whole year as I also have a 2.5 year old.I spoke to my boss the other day as I wish to drop my hours by 4 to 16per week and do 2 8 hour shifts.Prior to baby number 2 I worked Mondays and Saturdays.DS went to nursery on a monday and dp looked after him on a weekend day.My boss was fine about me dropping the hours but stated she could not promise anyone set days.Am in a complete tizz as nursrey can only offer mondays as a day to take both kids.The weekend day doesnt matter so much but I cant chop and change weekdays.I have no family living in the area who could help.Can my employer do this and what happened to family friendly policies??Any legal/employment bods out there who can clarify things?I go back to work in November.Thanks

Hi ,i work for nhs too and also om ml.Not sure where you stand with regard to only working specific days but to be honest i cant see them agreeing to it,sorry.I only do 16 hours but instead of working 2x8 hour shifts i do 4x4 .Maybe you could do something like that and then the nursey may not be such a problem? Can you change nurseries?

I also work for the nhs and have just gone back on set days. I work 3 set weekdays, which cover my clinic commitments and every other weekend. I would have thought that if you request formally and are flexible about your wekend day they shouldn't have a problem. It can't be that hard for your manager to have you working a fixed day especially if thats what you used to do

thanks for replies.Will have to approach manager again to see if just 1 set day is feasible.Wouldnt really want to swap nursery unless really forced as ds loves it it is near and staff are fantastic.Have to see how it goes

unless you are going to sign a new contract then its likely to state that you're agreeing to working across the 24hr/7day shift pattern. As an employer they must respond to the requests of parents under5 and offer some flexibility.

I employ 3 people all of whom have set shifts around their childcare, however, these are "not set in stone" and can be changed to meet the needs of the client group. However, this would not be done without discussion as would already be aware how childcare is managed.

I think it is reasonable for your employer to give you the one set day to ensure there is continuity of care for your ds. And as you've already done this pattern and assume there's been no problems with it then the employer would find it hard to say no. It maybe the reduction of hours that is more of an issue than a set day, so you may need to be open to a move to another ward / enviroment.