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Original poster

Civil service job offer unsuitable for childcare.

134 replies

Asvan · 22/08/2020 23:58

Hi

I just need some advice please. I'm looking to get back into work as my youngest starts school this September. I applied for an admin assistant role in the civil service and I got the job! I applied for this role as it was advertised as part time/flexible.

They called me on Friday to say the hours of work would be two full days and a half day. However, this isn't suitable for me as I have three kids under the age of 11. I have no help with childcare and my husband works away a lot so I need to be available for the kids.

In an ideal world I wouldn't mind working a few hours each day while the kids are at school as the job is only 18 hours a week. Is this something that I could negotiate? Also I would prefer to only work term time and maybe even be allowed to work from home some days. I feel like I'm asking for so much but I'd rather be honest from the beginning instead of wasting everyone's time.

Has anyone been in a similar position? And what's the best way to proceed. I have to let them know by Monday if I want to take the job. I dont want to come across as unflexible or unreasonable.

OP posts:
TyneTeas · 22/08/2020 23:59

Worth asking

Original poster
Asvan · 23/08/2020 00:03

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. I really want to say yes but this is my only issue.

OP posts:
Sennetti · 23/08/2020 00:04

I think you are asking for a lot there

Not work during school holidays? So 6 weeks off next summer?

Can’t see existing employees be happy with that

Africa2go · 23/08/2020 00:05

Admin tends to be office based, so would be surprised if it could be done from home. 2.5 days also sounds like a job share? I'd potentially ask for some flexibility in general terms but sounds like it's unlikely to be everything you need.

OhamIreally · 23/08/2020 00:12

I think you need to change your perspective and look at childcare options.
Your husband is also on the hook for half the childcare costs - it's not just on you.

minnieok · 23/08/2020 00:14

Worth asking but I suspect it's a job share and the full working week must be covered with those hours

Moobieboobie · 23/08/2020 00:22

This. I agree - childcare options need to be investigated asap - it is very unlikely they will agree to all your requests and frankly if I was asked this by a prospective candidate I might start reconsidering the offer. I also have a handful of children and have had various part-time options over the years, but usually one or the other : job share or compressed hours, or part time hours or wfh not a combination of all of the above. But equally no harm in asking, you never know...

WeAllHaveWings · 23/08/2020 00:27

Your "only issue" is wanting to change a 2.5 days a week job to working just a few hours a day, some days at home, with 10+ weeks holiday to cover term time only.

As other poster said worth asking if you otherwise can't do it, but it is a mega ask especially if it is a job share. Did they say if it was a job share at the interview?

Does the school have breakfast /afternoon clubs?

HotPenguin · 23/08/2020 00:27

I think it definitely is worth asking but I think you need to be clear what you want. Does your school have wraparound care? I would look into using that if so, as by the time you've dropped off and picked up, with staggered times due to covid, you'll find the time for working in between is very short!

Chloemol · 23/08/2020 00:34

You can ask, but be prepared for them to say no. It sounds like a job share, and you working only a few hours a day may not work. In addition it’s unlikely You would get term time contract

LizB62A · 23/08/2020 00:39

They probably should have been more explicit with the advert as "part time / flexible" can be interpreted many ways.

Job share is usually specified in the advert (or at least, it is where I work)

It's worth asking - if you can't do the hours they've asked for you may as well as if they can be more flexible before turning the job down if they say no.

ScorpioSphinxInACalicoDress · 23/08/2020 00:43

The "Flexi" bit means in all probability you can clock on between 7.30 and 9 and leave between 3.30 and 6.30 etc. It definitely sounds like a job share, as many civil service admin assistant jobs are.
The civil service is very tolerant and family friendly but, in all honesty, you should have made any requests or clarifications at interview stage.
You can ask, but if the level of flexibility you're asking for was on the cards, it would have been put in the job description as it would be a massive hook for job hunters.

Viviennemary · 23/08/2020 00:45

It's worth asking for the hours to be spread over more days. I don't think you'll get the school holidays off though. Why don't you consider childcare options.

RevolutionRadio · 23/08/2020 00:47

You can ask, I wouldn't expect thwm to say yes to all of that.

You'd only be working 3 to 4 hours a day,in that case would you be able to start at 9 or finish at 5? I can't imagine they would want someone working 10 til 3. I'd imagine there is someone else covering the other 2.5 days that you need to fit in with.

If they only have a small admin team they may not have enough people to cover annual leave for other colleagues who also would like some time off in the school holidays and that wouldn't be fair on them.

I'd imagine they might say yes to working at home provided you're not needed to take phone calls or do physical filing, printing etc.

PeaceAndHarmoneeee · 23/08/2020 00:52

I'm surprised that days and hours of work were not discussed at the interview?? That would have been the time to ask.

ReefTeeth · 23/08/2020 00:52

It's always worth asking.

But agree with pp. You need to change your mindset regarding childcare and your definition of flexibility.

Especially in this current climate, there will be lots of others who will happily do the required days.

I work 24 hours over 4 days. At the moment all from home but when/if we go back my contract states 2 short day (2.30 pm) and 2 long days (4pm) so I only need cc 2 days a week.

But also remember once you're in and proven yourself you are likely to be able to ask then for more flexibility.

If the role didn't state it was term time only then it's not being offered as that.

YorkshireIndie · 23/08/2020 00:55

Agree re the hours when you can clock on and off. I work for the civil service and there is no way they are going to let you just work term time. Why can your husband not help with childcare? Have a plan. Are there other parents that you can do a childcare share plan with? My mum had one for my sister - between three mums they had a plan for 4 children

Smarshian · 23/08/2020 00:55

Civil service jobs typically offer flexibility for all employees.
You might struggle with getting all your requests but you could probably get some and that might tip the balance for you. It’s worth asking how flexible the hours are and if there is anyway you can adjust them to be more suitable.

EL8888 · 23/08/2020 00:57

You’re being very unrealistic. It feels like you want to go to work when it suits and work isn’t really like that. As others have said it’s probably a job share bearing in mind it’s 2.5 days a week

CMMum88 · 23/08/2020 01:02

I would probably be prepared to negotiate a few hours a day with you but it's a bit much asking to be term time only! For me actually doing two full days would be preferable as I love having a weekday off.

alexdgr8 · 23/08/2020 01:13

i think you are very lucky to be offered a job in this climate.
literally thousands are being laid off every day.
take the job and make childcare arrangements.
your children are growing all the time, so things will get easier.
some sacrifice at this initial stage is needed for your longer-term prospects. and income. and sanity. buckle down to the task in hand.
also if you work diligently bosses are more likely to be accommodating

Ginfilledcats · 23/08/2020 01:36

Congratulations on the job success but I think you're very very unlikely to get what you're asking for ( the holy grail of flexible jobs: a few hours a day around school plus holidays off!!).

Most places you can only apply for that dirt if flexibility after working there for 12m and even then that agreement is super rare.

However your new employers should have made clear the expectations of hours in the interview, as should you if you wanted term time only.

I agree it sounds lie a job share. I think at best you might swing a few hours every day, maybe, and potentially some work from home but imagine that would be irregular

vanillandhoney · 23/08/2020 07:40

Why can't you pay for childcare?

Noneformethanks · 23/08/2020 07:42

What everyone else said. Sounds like a job share to me, but it can’t hurt to ask.

THisbackwithavengeance · 23/08/2020 07:43

I know civil servants who have very flexible working arrangements with unpaid school holidays off built into their contract

Worth asking.