No longer want flexible working

[ThatWasMyName]

After the birth of my daughter 4 years ago I returned to my job on a part time basis (having been in the position full time for 8 years previously). I now wish to work full time. Does anyone know if I have the right to return to my job full time? Does my employer have the right to refuse? Any advice would be much appreciated.

I doubt it

surely someone else is doing the other part of your job if you are only part time?

No, you have no right to increase your hours.

But I don't think there's any harm in asking, depending on the employer. We have some part-timers, and we could probably accommodate one or two of them increasing their hours, at least work-wise (the current headcount freeze would go against it.)

Thanks for your replies. No, I do not job share. I reduced my hours and the work load stayed the same and recently is steadily increasing. Apparently there is no budget for extra support and I am having to pick up the slack in return for the odd day in lieu - hence wanting to come back full time to benefit properly.

It's worth asking. I did and went from working 3 days a week to 4.

Definitely ask! Having been in a similar position, where my work load had increased, I found it tough. But I wanted to get full pay for the extra work I was doing and in the end they didn't want to been seen as unsupportive to parents. Officially (i think!) you can request flexible working/address your working hours once every 12months.

The biggest tips I have are, keep your request clear and go straight to the person who can make the change - in my situ I want to HR first and they made the whole process a nightmare!!

You can request flexible working once every 12months but increasing hours to full time doesn't fall within that.

It's worth asking certainly, but no, employers are not obliged to hold open the option of returning to full time hours for those whose part time contractual hours were the result of a flexible working request. If there's no budget for extra support it doesn't sound very hopeful really.

You have no right whatsoever to go back to your previous contracted hours. They are no longer your hours, you asked for that contract to be changed. this is something people often don't think about when they reduce their hours. It's a permanent change.

You could try submitting another flexible working request and see whether they will permit it on the basis of increased hours but I'd be surprised.

Flexible working involves accommodating your needs in order to care for a dependent. Increasing hours wouldnt come under that. If you approach your boss honestly they might tell you what the likelihood of things changing in the future might be.

Alternatively you could request that your hours change to suit school hours? So less of a financial burden with breakfast / after school clubs etc.