Flexible working meeting

[fibeee]

I have submitted an application to go down to part time hours. I’ve now been invited to a meeting with HR reps and 2 managers to discuss this.

Can someone give me an idea of what to expect in this kind of meeting. Thank you.

They will want you to explain or justify how it won’t negatively impact the company and your colleagues. Think up lots of benefits to the company for your part time hours.

Be clear on what you need and what you want.
Be open to alternatives they may suggest.
Be prepared to compromise/be flexible.
Think about how your work will be redistributed. As pp recommends think about impact on business and colleagues.

Would you be happy to say what you currently work and what you have asked for?

I currently work full time and have asked to go down to 4 days. A 30 hour week - not compressed hours.

3 people - is a bit overkill...are they normally so officious?

The number (4) does concern me a bit but one is a junior member of staff so I’m hoping that they’re on the panel for the experience.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I have some suggestions in mind about the redistribution of work but I have some time to prepare more thoroughly.

I am wondering about how in depth I’m going to be questioned about why I want to do this. Is wanting more time with my child even going to be an acceptable answer?

Familiarise yourself with the legitimate business reasons under which they are able to refuse. Don’t settle for any crap that is irrelevant to those.

Focus on how this isn’t going to negatively affect the business/service. Be open to e.g. a different day off to the typical Friday.

Is wanting more time with my child even going to be an acceptable answer?

No. You need to be making a business case, not a personal case.

Mine asked for other alternatives I'd answer. Any flexibility I could offer. Eg. Covering certain days if people were on holiday. If you want Fridays off I'd be prepared to accept you might not get it as it is a popular day for holidays so maybe provide an alternative day.

If you want it for looking after your children my employers seemed to appreciate me saying by having one day off it meant my partner could cover more of the illness etc so minimise disruption there.

Who will do the rest of the work? If it is someone else how do you envisage that working and what are the benefits to the company (eg is it useful having a second opinion on things, can you cover for each others absences etc even if it just means being fully aware of what the other person is doing without actually doing their day IYSWIM).

Don't use the term redistribution of work. That suggests either no one has enough to do or you are going to put more pressure on your colleagues.
They will be concerned about how your workload is going to be managed as recruiting in to 7hrs is impossible.
Give them suggestions and assurance as to how those hours can be back filled and that you can be flexible on your day off.

I have some suggestions in mind about the redistribution of work

That sounds suspiciously like “I know how my colleagues can do more for the same pay so I can drop a day”. I would think carefully about how you phrase it!

They might suggest a trial period before you change your contract, so you can demonstrate that your new working pattern won't impact the business negatively. If they don't suggest it, it might be something you could suggest?

@fibeee

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I have some suggestions in mind about the redistribution of work but I have some time to prepare more thoroughly.

I am wondering about how in depth I’m going to be questioned about why I want to do this. Is wanting more time with my child even going to be an acceptable answer?

I would be surprised if they ask you anything about why you want to change your hours, how you spend your time when you are not at work, is not their concern or interest.

It isn't to discuss why you want to drop a day of work, this is completely irrelevant. I have recently dropped my hours from 37.5 to 20 due to having a new baby. My boss is obviously aware of this, but on the form for HR, we weren't to discuss why I wanted to lower my hours. The only things discussed were how it would affect the business and how I could justify that for the business.
You don't mention childcare at all, unless you're friendly with the staff in the meeting. What you do out of work is not their business and it will be treated like a business meeting.