Scared of talking to my supervisor (silly me!)

[SlimmingMumOf1]

So unfortunately, it looks like I have to swap shifts and change times around because my DH has a new job and my DS will be going nursery/Childminder's. My supervisor is already going through enough as it is with sorting out the staff and making sure we are all fully staffed but now with my days I have to swap, we are going to be over-staffed a few days and very short on other days! Also I've booked annual leave so that will all need to change as well.

I have tried so hard to find a nursery that I can put him into earlier, but they are too expensive and can't afford it even with the 70% off childcare funding. I have her mobile number, should I message her or talk face to face? And if they are not able to provide flexibility that I require, what do I do? I can't afford to be out of work. We've both have worked it out! Being out of work is going to be detrimental to our finances on my DH's wages alone

I just feel guilty for letting the team down! I always care about others before I think about myself.

You can't demand a change of work days that will leave the team over-staffed on some days and short-staffed on others. They may try to accommodate a polite request by asking other staff members to take different days but they may not. Unfortunately the unaffordability of childcare is really not your employers problem. Ultimately if they don't need you on the days you want to work and you don't want to work on the days you are needed then you will have to resign.

Why is this your problem to resolve though? This change has come about from your dh changing his circumstances - surely he should be the one who has to juggle shift times to accommodate childcare?

I think you're going to have to get a new job with hours to suit

Your employer should have a policy around flexible working requests. Ask for a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the shift changes and ask for a copy of the relevant policy.

As a pp said, if your request can't be accommodated, is there any flexibility on your husband's side?

If your change in hours is going to cause them as much hassle as you believe it will then you will be lucky to get them to agree to these new hours, I think.

I would speak to your supervisor face to face first and then follow it up with an email or whatever is required under your flexible working policy.

You can’t just demand a change of working pattern especially if it’s on your contract.

What you are entitled to do is make a flexible working request. There will be a form you need to fill in. On that form you have to make a case as to why your change of working hours will not be detrimental to the business. The company can turn it down if they don’t believe it is workable and they have to give reasons why. But from what you’ve said they’ll have a valid reason.

Could you not approach other staff on the shifts you want and ask if they will swap?

Flexible working can be refused if it doesn't fit with the needs of the service so I would start looking at your other options. It's a nightmare finding affordable childcare that fits, you have my sympathies. I was a shift worker but had to retrain and change roles once I had DC's as I just couldn't make it work.

Face to face is definitely the way to go and may be see if there's any colleagues will to swap so you can propose a more workable option.

Just thinking of my work and the team I manage... if someone came to me and said I need to change my shift pattern now to one that's more convenient for me but less convenient for you/the team/the business.... I'd politely give them the flexi work policy and request sheet and hope they see for themselves that if it doesn't suit business needs is not happening!!

Unless you already have a flexi work type set up and you can pick your shifts- in that case I don't see why you would be scared to tell your supervisor?

From what you've written, I can't see a shift change being approved. You may get lucky and there is someone who wants the shifts you have but that's quite unlikely.

Did your manager approve your annual leave?

Have you spoken to your supervisor?

Thank you to everyone. I agree it would be taking the piss! I will talk to her tomorrow as that's when she will be in. I will see what she has to say but it does look like I will have to find another job.

Does your job or your husband's earn more for the family?

My husband will earn far more than me. I am on minimum wage and he will be on almost double that per hour.

But if your DH getting this new job has the knock-on consequence of you either losing your job altogether or only being able to continue working if you use very expensive childcare, is his job really adding much to the family finances? Remember he has the right to ask for flexible hours too. That's something for all parents not just women. Could his working hours be adjusted to make it possible for you to do the shifts when your employer needs you?

DH will only have the right to request flexible hours after 6 months. He could have negotiated before but it might be a bit late now.