New role, unhappy with family/work balance

[shelbeee]

Hi, after some advice - I did post on here before taking this new role.

Interviewed for this role and asked in interview if they would consider 4 days part time (job advert said they would consider requests and also are happy to allow flexible working patterns). In the interview they indicated 4 days unlikely. I was offered the job and asked again and they came back with a firm no, but said I could apply formally after 26 weeks. I got the impression part time wasn't really something they felt was in the company's interest. I accepted the job but with apprehension. I'm now just over a month in and really really struggling with full time. I have a 4 and 1 year old and apart from the organisation required to get through the week, I really miss having time with my baby (had only recently returned from
Mat leave when this opportunity came up)

It is really affecting how I feel about the whole job, and it turns out this is a deal breaker for me. I should add that general flexibility I was promised isn't really there either.

Feeling quite down about this today and worried about what to do. If I could reverse the clock and not accept the role I would.

There's no shame in looking for another job which is more flexible.
Can you afford to resign to do this?

Don’t resign - your are only one month in and it will not reflect well when you go job hunting.
You have to try at least:
Speak to your manager about the flexibility, could you work later 1-2 a week and then finish earlier on other days (or the other way around).
Can DH help with organisation and drop offs and pick-ups?
You can still apply for part-time after 26 weeks.
Try and pull through for a bit, it will get better (speaking from experience)

Do you at least enjoy the role?

Thanks for your replies. We could afford it but I don't want to make a fool of myself and don't think it looks great CV wise. DH is being really helpful sharing the load with pick ups etc but I feel like I'm getting the dregs of the kids when they're really tired at the end of a day or when I'm in a rush to leave the house.

Yes I do enjoy the role and I'm proud of it iykwim, it wasn't easy getting a new job straight after mat leave.. so I don't want to disappoint myself?!

In some ways its better to leave early if something isn't really working - you can just leave it off your CV. A break of a few months isn't a big deal usually and you can get away with a short stint if the rest of your CV is good tenure. If it's a deal-breaker for you it is - and it doesn't sound like this job will ever support part time. I would start looking again, quietly.

OK thanks. I have a one month catch up with HR next week and I'm going to simultaneously try and get them down to 4 days whilst looking.

Feel better even typing that

I always think that an organisation that won't be flexible at the start will never become more flexible, and for this reason you should never start a job without having the flexibility you need agreed in writing up front.

When you speak to HR remember that the arrangement has to work for both parties to be satisfactory.