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Original poster

query re flexible working application?

19 replies

stressed2007 · 13/02/2007 22:02

Ok. This is probably a really dense question but something has occurred to me re my flexible working application which I am just about to submit and I thought someone might be able to help. Do I have to explain, or rather justify, why I am making my particular request (if not on my application itself at least in the subsequent meeting to discuss the application?). I am thinking of requesting the following:
(a) working from home for 2 (maybe 3) days a week; and
(b) leaving the office by 4.30 pm on the days that I am in the office (with the hour I leave early made up in the evening) as childminder needs baby picked up by 5.30pm.

The justification for (b) is of course that I need to be home in time to pick up the baby but what do I need to say for (a)? Is it sufficient to say that working for home will save me 2 hours travelling each day and therefore I will be able to spend more time with baby or does there need to be a more practical reason which may need embellishing such as the fact that she has a different minder in the afternoon to the morning and needs to be delivered? (what I am concerned about is that if work say leaving 4.30 pm and making up the hour is acceptable they will go on to say that this should be sufficient and I have to do this and not allow me to work from home).

Any thoughts on this? Am also posting this on the "Going back to work board" as don't know where this should more appropriately be posted. Thanks.

OP posts:

fransrosesarered · 13/02/2007 22:17

are you in a union? they will be ablr to advise you how to word your letter, as should your local cab

Original poster

stressed2007 · 13/02/2007 22:20

no union I am afraid - will try CAB but need to get it in now - no time to wait for appointment in few weeks time as have left this quite late - my own fault.

OP posts:

fransrosesarered · 13/02/2007 22:22

oh gawd i only have vague recollection of what to say. how long exactly til you absolutley have to hand it in?

CountTo10 · 13/02/2007 22:22

You do not need to give any other explanation other than that you need to work those hours in order to fit in with childcare and allow you to spend time at home with your child/children. Your focus should be on how you can make that arrangement work for both your job and the company as that is the area they will be looking to blow holes in if that's what they want to do. In order to reject they need to prove that it would be highly disruptive to the business and that your area could not cope with that arrangement so its up to you to prove it won't! If they ask what the specifics are then by all means tell them but don't make it your focus.

Original poster

stressed2007 · 13/02/2007 22:44

thanks for this - am up all night preparing application then! There are other people doing similar jobs in different departments that flexibly work but my boss just does n't want me to - he thinks I must be in the office all the time so whatever I say I know he is going to say it won't work and I can't afford to go part time (he would n't even let me change my hours by 30 mins when I asked 2 years ago due to change in train timetable which meant I had to wait 35 mins for first train after I finished work (though didn't have baby then)) but have to go through hoops and do this properly.

OP posts:

Original poster

stressed2007 · 13/02/2007 22:49

Also boss said at that time that I MUST have 1 hour lunch break - is this legal requirement? I can see others on these boards have made flex working applications and agreed 30 min lunches to make up the time to leave early - he suggested not allowed to do this. Any ideas? Bit of a joke really when I think I always work my lunch anyway to get all work done as we are so understaffed to then be told "officialy" need to take hour break so can't make the time up that way but have to work it anyway!

OP posts:

noseyoldbag · 14/02/2007 09:05

Can't believe it's correct about the one hour lunch break. I'm a teacher and our timetabled lunch break is 40 minutes. (Not that i get to take it...think I've managed to sit down with a sandwich once since christmas!!)

wahmum · 14/02/2007 13:34

I think the 1 hour lunch break is just his way of not wanting to make it happen!

If the company want to allow you 30 mins they can, if they done't they may try and insist this legal req't#' thing.

rookiemum · 14/02/2007 20:29

Re the break thing, I think the legal requirement is that you must have 30 mins if you are working for 6 hours or more.

Can't believe they are even being inflexible over this what on earth does it matter to them how long you have for lunch ?

drosophila · 14/02/2007 20:38

look here . If your boss has to go to the trouble of justifying why it won't work in writing he may balk at refusing. Be sure to quote the legislation and you might want to mention work/life balance.

Original poster

stressed2007 · 14/02/2007 20:52

thanks for this - seen it - and lots of other similar sites. Unfortunately he won't baulk at it - he is the most archaic inflexible difficult man - the fact that he must put in writing some (made up) reason why it won't work won't put him off! Thanks for the info about the lunch break. Wish me luck!

OP posts:

drosophila · 15/02/2007 07:38

So does he have a manager? Is there an HR section/manager. If he refuses as you think he will can you push it up the line?

Original poster

stressed2007 · 15/02/2007 11:59

mmm...and there is the problem.....they won't...have been complaining about treatment from him when pregnant etc. (I won't go into it and the catalogue of things that have n't been done properly) but they just won't do anything even though it is a big well known firm you would think would not act like this......am hoping the whole thing is not going to get really nasty (think I am kidding myself).

OP posts:

fransrosesarered · 15/02/2007 13:26

you could always involve the hq personnel as it reflects badly on the public impression of a firm. if you are in a supermarket, try contacting usdaw for help.
i worked in a supermarket whilst i was pg, didn't get risk assessment, got shoved on tills as it was considered an easy job cos i "could sit down" - the amount of weight you have to shift per shift, as it were, is equivalent to approx 10x your own body weight and it's worse at xmas so i should contatc your local union if you can and definitely get them involved.

Original poster

stressed2007 · 15/02/2007 13:43

I work in a London city firm - it is HQ HR I am talking about and we don't have unions here... thanks for your help all but don't think there is much that can be done.

OP posts:

drosophila · 15/02/2007 14:25

SO HR are aware of him and his behaviour and don't do anything about him?

Have you had a meeting with HR?

Do you work in HR?

Sorry a bit confused.

drosophila · 15/02/2007 14:27

Try this here

cheesypeas · 15/02/2007 14:40

I would also recommend this site and found it invaluable to prepare for my flexible working application. It was recommended by my company's HR team, and helped me build a business case for my proposal.

fridayschild · 15/02/2007 18:27

Your justification for a) is not that you spend more time with the baby, you spend more time with your files

I agree with countto10 you should focus on the impact to the business, and how that will be minimal. After you've said you're doing this for childcare reasons the finer details are irrelevant to employers.

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