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Original poster

To ask to drop hours after just 1 week....

38 replies

SweetMummy911 · 08/01/2018 10:03

Hello ladies

Just started to work for a new company and DH and I have had a change in circumstances which means I can't work on a Friday anymore ... currently I work 4 days a week, I have 10 years experience in this field and I know my job inside out and realistically speaking I don't need to be in the office 4 full day.... I can well cover everything with time to spare on a 3 day week!

I'm terrified to ask in case they say know and then we are going to be monumentally stuck!

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 08/01/2018 13:32

Well if you really can’t work on Fridays then you have no choice but to ask
Can’t imagine it will go down well but worth a go

WipsGlitter · 08/01/2018 13:39

What is the change in circumstance?

As a manger I'd not be overly keen so soon after starting. Could you use annual leave?

Ijustlovefood · 08/01/2018 13:42

Mmm not sure it will go down well

LIZS · 08/01/2018 13:46

Can you offer to swap day?

ilovesooty · 08/01/2018 13:48

What is the change in circumstances? I think before asking I'd try to find an alternative solution to maintain your hours.

Partypopper123 · 08/01/2018 19:49

I really wouldn't after just 1 week,

DancesWithOtters · 08/01/2018 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Holidaydilemmas · 08/01/2018 19:57

You've only been there a week? Are yu still within a probationary period? Even if not, they could still terminate your employment if they feel you're being difficult.

I doubt many employers would be impressed, and would also consider whether you were the right person for the job.

OlennasWimple · 08/01/2018 19:57

If I was the manager I would assume that you had taken the job under false pretences and never intended to work Fridays in the first place...

Are you certain that there is no way around this change in circumstances? Both in the short term (use your annual leave) or the longer term (find new child care)?

YellowMakesMeSmile · 08/01/2018 20:03

They are likely to say no as will feel you deceived them to get the job and never intended to work fridays. Letting you take a couple unpaid whilst you sort replacement childcare they may go for at a push.

Why can't your DH pick up that day rather than you risk a new job? They don't even need a reason to dismiss you at present.

PuppyMonkey · 08/01/2018 20:04

If you only work 4 days, work mon-thurs.

BossyBitch · 08/01/2018 20:12

Is there any way for you to offer to work another day instead of Friday instead?

As PP have suggested, it does look bad, to be honest. As a manager, I'd probably feel you were taking the piss. I wouldn't say so to your face because I'm too professional to, but I absolutely would suspect that you'd basically be playing me.

Sorry!

StereophonicallyChallenged · 08/01/2018 20:13

I disagree! Depending on the circs it might be fine imho. For eg, accountants, surveyors, IT workers, designers (to think of a few) There are usually a certain number of hours work and it doesn't always matter what days/hours they actually are Smile
Just ask, nothing ventured and all that. If you really can't do the days what have you got to lose by asking?

Believeitornot · 08/01/2018 20:14

You’re under probation so that’s a bit cheeky. At least swap days!

WitchesHatRim · 08/01/2018 20:15

Depends.

They may be ok with it, or if you have only been there a week they may let you go.

If they do agree though, I can't see them being overly impressed in all fairness.

BishBoshBashBop · 08/01/2018 20:17

Youve been there a week and want to go from 4 to 3 days?

Can't see many employers being happy.

ShiftyMcGifty · 08/01/2018 20:17

I don’t understand if you want to switch which day you don’t work or you want to reduce hours from 4 days to 3.

If the latter, you’re not really in a position to tell them that after a week. After a year - yes. But you’ve no idea if there’s a busy period, if they’ve lined up new contracts, so don’t go in telling them what you think they need.

Regularsizedrudy · 08/01/2018 20:24

I mean you can ask but If I was your boss I would think you were being cheeky and had never intended to work the full 4 days. Also if you mention that you can do all your work in three days that WILL NOT go down well, you are basically telling them they are paying you for an extra day that they don’t need to.

Original poster
SweetMummy911 · 10/01/2018 10:04

Thanks ladies - read all your replies just been busy! The change in circumstance is my children nan is not well and she won't be able to look after her on a Friday. Financially speaking - an extra day of childcare is suicide, we simply cannot afford it. I work in digital marketing and theoretically can work from home on Friday ....

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/01/2018 10:28

But realistically wfh does not allow you to also do your childcare. It is not a sustainable solution long term. Could you work evenings or early morning to make up hours?

Hoppinggreen · 10/01/2018 10:31

Well good luck to you OP but your childcare is not your new company’s problem and from what you say you are expecting to work from home with your child there?
That’s straying into CF territory!!

WitchesHatRim · 10/01/2018 11:21

I work in digital marketing and theoretically can work from home on Friday

As an employer I would be nightly pissed off if you were doing this as a childcare option.

You can't do a days work and look after a small child.

Regularsizedrudy · 10/01/2018 12:35

Can you not switch days?

OlennasWimple · 10/01/2018 12:45

If I was your employer I would be preparing your P45 and wishing you well in your next job. Especially if I thought that you saw your job as so easy that you can do it AND look after your child adequately at home at the same time

(I'm sorry your nan is ill, though, and hope she recovers soon)

Aridane · 10/01/2018 12:54

I think it is for you to arrange an alternative childcare solution TBH