Asking to work flexibly from home

[monkeywithacowface]

Newish job but am struggling to make the hours work. I'm cutting it fine both ends of the day and am only making it work now because a very kind friend is helping me with childcare in the mornings. It doesn't feel sustainable and I hate relying on other people's good will. Problem is childminder can't have them early enough for me to leave on time.

They are flexible in lots of ways but I feel as cheeky as fuck asking so soon into the job. There is no reason why I can't do the admin side of my job from home. I would also be open to reducing my hours if they would prefer.

I'm not sure how to phrase it though without it looking like I'm saying "If you can't accommodate me I'll probably leave" but I feel like it is better to be straight with them during my probation period rather than waiting.

How would you approach it?

Have you got an end of probation review or equivalent where you could discuss it?

Doubt it if my "induction" is anything to go by. Without outing myself the team environment is very casual. I feel I need to discuss it sooner rather than later as the stress at either end of the day is killing me. If traffic is typical rush hour I can do it but it is tight with no margin for error or delays!

To be honest the role I have doesn't require the number of hours I'm employed for so I need to discuss that to. Again how to diplomatically tell them that they are wasting money employing people for twiddling their thumbs half the day! Don't get me wrong I know how to make myself busy but it's not the challenge I was hoping for!

If you have not been working with them long enough, you might not be eligible to request it, I think

www.gov.uk/flexible-working

When doing a flexible work request, you will probably need to fill in a form. Think about how it will be most convenient for them, what issues may arise, and what you can do to combat any such issues.

Are there anyone in the company working flexibly? If they are very casual, and there isn’t enough work, and you feel they are family friendly, definitely have a chat sooner than later. Do you have 1:1 meetings? When I look for a job a few years ago after children, I asked about working from home and flexible working in the first interview. It is pointless wasting each other’s time if it won’t work for me. However my industry is very flexible and plenty work from home. So it is a very standard thing to ask about.

To exercise your legal right to request their consideration for flexible working arrangements you need to have served 26 weeks' unbroken service.

That's not to say you can't discuss the matter sooner, of course. An employer may be amenable to FW earlier, any time they like.

My concern is that raising an early request for remote FW, with the message you don't have enough to keep you occupied and can you reduce your hours ... isn't a good combination. They could decide to let you go altogether, if they didn't like that message. If your probation period is still pending review, you're probably on 1 week's notice....I know this sounds pessimistic, but it's a possibility.

I know the reduced hours plus FW would resolve your problems in one fell swoop, but it may be prudent to ask for one or the other, but not both at this stage in your employment. Can you try to make things work at least until you're past your probation?

Thanks for the replies I appreciate the advice. I can make it work for now but it isn't sustainable. Others do work flexibly and some remotely so I think they would be open to flexible hours but maybe a bit much to ask to work remotely at this point.

I suppose if I'm being honest the role is not really what I expected and therefore I know I won't stay for the very long term just long enough to gain some more experience in the field and pad out the CV. I'm probably rather selfishly wanting it all on my own terms whilst I stick it out (probably won't say that in my meeting )

I know this won’t be a popular comment but ........ no wonder working mothers get a bad rep. Surely you knew the hours before you accepted the job? And presumably the fact you had children hadn’t slipped your mind?