please can I have an idiots guide to annualised hours.

[spreadsheeteyes]

Childcare and caring for the DC's is getting difficult so I am going to ask for more flexible working, it has been suggested I try for annualised hours. Our department is always quieter in the summer so I hope to have have extra days off then, although I would still come in several times over the summer.

I currently work 18hrs a week over Tues, Weds & Thursday, 6hrs a day.

What I would like to suggest as a starting point is to reduce to 16.5 hours a week (ie; lose 30 mins a day) but still work those 30 mins a day and accrue them as part of my annual total to be used during school hols. My initial sums suggest I could gain an extra 4 weeks of annual leave this way? Ie; 90 mins a week so I'd accrue roughly an extra day a month.

Is this how annualised hours can work? It would mean I would lose a few hour pay a month but not require nearly so much school holiday childcare (which is bankrupting me) and not have to extend my working day, I'm struggling mentally and physically as it is so I can't commit to working on my usual days off (Mon & Fri).

I hope this makes sense . TIA.

This could be an option if your employer agrees to it.
Your annualised hours would then be about 1,430.

They normally tell you the amount of hours they want you to work each year and you just need to fulfil that agreement. The only problem with that is, if they want you in during busy periods, you should go in...so make sure you get it written down as an amendment to your contract/on a new contract of employment that you will be allowed your specified time off each year.

Thank you, I'm back again. I had to fiddle about on the laptop to name change for this.

They won't want me in for busy periods really, we are stable all year round with the exception of a quieter August and Xmas period (very lucky really). My boss suggested I work a little longer each day to accrue the extra time, it's just that I can't fit in any more hours each day around the dc's, so I'm hoping my solution with work .

Although, having said that about not really needing to be flexible, I did offer to come in for a 5 day week when other staff were on holiday at the same time. So it's possible for me to do it a couple of times a year with advance notice of 3/4 weeks so I can arrange for family to do childcare, but short notice changes are impossible.