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Original poster

Flexible working policy - help

12 replies

Hamble · 18/06/2004 19:02

I have requested to work reduced hours when I return to work. My boss says that although I would be able to perform the job satisfactorily on reduced hours, for 'optimum' performance he needs a full-timer. Is this not completely against the spirit of flexible working? One could use this argument on 'optimum performance' about any request to work reduced hours.

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

OP posts:
unicorn · 18/06/2004 19:12

first option-have you a union? they should be involved if you do.
another option go through the procedure the govt's Dept has drawn up (can't remember which dept responsibility it is trade/industry?)there are websites and official forms that you can fill in.. once it becomes more than an enquiry employers have to take it more seriously)
Good luck... don't see how they can refuse it really.

pesme · 18/06/2004 19:29

A good site for more information on flexible working is here under employment, individual employment rights then flexible working. Just been through this with my work. They were very reasonable. Hope this helps.

pesme · 18/06/2004 19:31

Sorry type try again, here under employment, individual employment rights then flexible working

WideWebWitch · 18/06/2004 19:36

Hamble, they can't just refuse your request for flexible working, they have to follow correct procedures and give good business reasons. You could try the working families site or Employers for work life balance or the Equal Opportunities Commission. This came up with 200 documents when I searched on flexible working. I hope there's some useful advice there about how to approach this with your boss.

Original poster
Hamble · 18/06/2004 19:53

I think he's going to use the 'Detrimental impact on peformance' as the reason. I've read the information on the flexible working policy, but it doesn't any information on the scale of impact to the business. I'm proposing to work 30hours ( 6 hours a day ) in the office and 4 from home instead of 37.5 in the office. Is there anything on how significant the impact to the business has to be for it to be a valid reason to reject a request.

OP posts:
Tanzie · 18/06/2004 21:59

Wouldn't he look pretty stupid if he tried? You are only reducing your working hours by 3 1/2 per week! If he had a heavy smoker they would probably spend that time disapperaing out of the building for a fag break!

luckymum · 19/06/2004 08:49

Hamble - tell him that as you're so important to the company that he can't spare you for 3 1/2 hours you obviously deserve to be paid more

Hope you get it sorted.

Original poster
Hamble · 19/06/2004 20:49

I'm going to talk it through with him on Wednesday. I'll mention the smoking and suggest I might take it up to manage the stress of working full time with 3 ds.

OP posts:
Lisa78 · 19/06/2004 21:01

Hamble, as the law stands, he has to grant a reasonable request to alter your hours. If he intends to refuse it, he has to put this in writing stating a clear business case why - he can't say that it won't be optimum performance, he has to specify, eg x target is set 4 weekly on a monday, and she needs to be in the office on a monday to deal with this
The intention to decline flexible wkg hrs is not the end of the matter, it is something that you can take to the next management tier or even outside your company for a decision.
The onus is on your company to demonstrate why it won't work, not on you to demonstrate why it will. Frankly, from what you have put, the argument would be to distribute some of your work elsewhere and work smarter, not harder
Given the legislation, I think he will be hard put to refuse your request - if it came across my desk, I would consider his approach unreasonable and unprofessional and rap his knuckles!
Good luck

lars · 19/06/2004 21:04

Hamble, Just thought I would add to your thread. The secretary at my work place has tried this herself as her work load has also reduced. She went down the flexible working route as has a young child. She was refused on the grounds that they needed a full-timer for the post and reduced hours were not suitable. She is now leaving to find part time work else where but is not going to another job. Just how good is this law, it seems not so good really. She even said job share but they would not consider this. larsxx

Lisa78 · 19/06/2004 21:08

Some employers are so stupid as to do themselves out of experienced, committed employees...
I think once the policy is used more, someone is going to go to IT over this and give employers a shock - we have the most inflexible working week in Europe, this policy is supposed to redress this and the Govt are very much behind it - just waiting for the legal challenge!!!

Tanzie · 19/06/2004 21:10

Lisa is very sensible. Now I see why she is not in the bar

Good luck, anyway. With the org I work for, they have to have a very very good reason not to deny flexible working (apparently - I am threatening to put it to the test...)

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