Flexible working

[Busterboo]

In March this year I returned to work following SPL, before returning to work I put in a request for flexible working to reduce my hours from 37 to 27. I was told by my supervisor that this would be unsustainable within department. The only thing they could offer was a job share 18.5 hours. Through a number of ruses they have managed to not advertise my job share to this day (half the time was my choice waiting to see how a revamp of department would go).

I am happy to do less hours as being home is fairly important at moment., they have dragged heels since September 1.

To add insult to injury the supervisor reduced her hours to 30 from 37 in early June (I heard on the grapevine she wanted a better work life balance, no dependants or health issues I am aware of). When she leaves a few hours early on her new pattern she will say to me and other staff make sure you do x,y and z. (Jobs she should be doing)...WTF

Any views welcomed

I’m a little unclear about the main issue- is it that you still don’t have a job share and are therefore having to work more hours to cover the other half of your role?

Sounds like you are suffering from SMS (Selfish Manager Syndrome). Gets her situation sorted out, so she gets to skip off and enjoy her free time, while leaving her direct reports having to pick up the slack. Nasty.

Did you submit a formal request, in writing in Sept? I'm trying to work out if they've proposed the shorter hours, but now have failed to follow through with the other part of their proposal to enable you to move forward, by recruiting your (currently non-existent) job share partner, so they can keep the hours up i.e. 2 x 18.5 HRs /week.

If they've kicked it all into the long grass, I would suggest you formalise your request, or deactivate your original request - if you are happy with the job share, then remind them of what they had proposed and get some clear timelines around them getting a job share partner in post, bums on seats not just a platitude.

Hope I've interpreted the problem correctly I can't stand unsupportive management so it got my goat lol!

Sorry re-activate, not deactivate.

I rebelled recently as she asked me to train a very uncooperative staff member (new recruit). She and her direct report tried to force me to do it but I stuck fast as this is way above my pay grade.

I submitted formal request in March and September. I have subsequently learnt that manager is old friends with HR staff member managing my flexible work request. They have used every trick in the book to stall my requests to give timelines as they are aware I am looking inside and outside the organisation for a job (to no avail)(the atmosphere is very toxic and massive blame culture amongst all staff)

It sounds like they aren't a supportive organisation. Not sure you can hope for success. Might not be worth the stress and effort if you've already tried twice.

Keeping looking for a different role to get away from toxic management.

If a reduction to 18.5 hours was agreed in March, what was it you requested in September? I’m sorry I’m not following. If your job share still hasn’t been recruited, is the issue that you are struggling to cover all your work in the 18.5 hours?

I asked for reduction in March. They said that department was being reviewed to 01 September, I reluctantly agreed to continue full time till then. They led me to believe my reduction would be reconsidered at that time.

In September I resubmitted, I heard nothing till November, so I chased up. They said they had not received my request, even though two upper managers emailed me about request. I met with them in November and they said even though review was done they wouldn't be able to allow day dropping one day.

Okay give me the job share I said. Eight weeks later they have still not advertised the other half of my post. I have now been signed off by doctor to end of January as my personal life and work are getting too much.

I am expected and bound to work 37 hours till the fill the role.

I have come to conclusion that I will raise grievance etc before I go to make life as uncomfortable as possible for my supervisor and her manager, who are already under spotlight for bullying etc

Have you got something else lined up already? I wonder if you going off sick might not be the motivation they need to sort this out, since you could easily cost them more by a few months sick leave than it would take to recruit a jobshare.

Ok so your job share/hours reduction was agreed 8 weeks ago and your concern is that they haven’t started recruiting yet.

What has your manager said when you have asked for an update on when recruitment will be starting?

What did your letter agreeing the job share say about timescales/continuing to work full time?

Since the first review took place they have had a further mini review. They say this is what has held them up. The reviews are not the only excuses.

According to the HR person doing my case the file was mislaid? In the eight weeks when it was missing I had an email from another supervisor in dept and from payroll regarding what my new pay and holiday entitlement would be? I was told it will take months when they do advertise.

When I was told I could job share the supervisor wrote "you can have a job share, but if, and only if, we recruit someone for the other 18 hours"

When discussing the days and hours to be worked she has made the department rota as unfriendly to my cause as possible, though just before I went sick she managed to compromise, but it nearly killed her doing so.

My view is, she has taken flexi after refusing me. She now has to appear to be helping me, but she has no intention of filling the other half of my job.

They have yet to provide a timescale even though I have asked twice, they have referred to aforementioned excuses.