To ask for a reduction in my hours

[Holidayyys]

Started a new job in September full time but flexitime is available. I really enjoy my new job. However nursery fees are going up by nearly 80quid a month from next month, not to mention increase in swimming lesson prices and the dreaded energy price hike. I've worked out if I dropped 4 hours a week from my full time contract and worked my hours over 4 days this would save us a whole day of nursery fees (approx 240quid a month) and it would only make about 90 quid difference to my wage. Should I ask if this is a possibility, not sure if they would be pissed off if I ask as only been there 6 months, also not sure how I would broach the subject with my line manager as only ever met them in person once. Any advice or useful comments please?

I don’t see harm in asking. Explain as you have above. They may say no, which they are entitled to do, but you don’t ask you don’t get!

As long as you get the work done, if you are non customer facing, I don’t see why they wouldn’t allow this? Good luck.

Definitely ask. I probably wouldn't go into too much detail on why as your employer doesn't need to know the ins and outs of your financial situation- just say for a better work life balance.

Try and foresee any potential problems e.g something that must be done on a Friday every week so you would have Wednesday off. It needs to work for the business and for you.

If you submit a formal request for it then they have to properly consider it and if they reject it they have to give a valid reason - you could broach the subject with your manager first but they may just fob you off depending on what your workplace is like.

I read the flexible working request on the intranet and it says to speak to line manager first before submitting a request form. I think I'm just nervous as in my previous career as a teacher I requested part time hours a few times and everytime it was rejected and then I was met with a frosty atmosphere for the next 6 months like I was a bloody hindrance for wanting to spend time with own children. They do seem very much about wellbeing in my new organisation and there are other part time staff. Should I just email my line manager to broach the subject currently wfh so only see them virtually? I hate doing stuff like this as just worry about rejection and backlash.

I would bring it up in your next 1-2-1 or catch up even if it is virtually, conversation is much better IMO. Their initial reaction should be a good gauge on if the are open to it or if it might be a bit more of a fight for you.

You can always ask but....I imagine lots are people are in the same boat so you should have a back up plan in the event it gets refused

We don't generally have much catch up time unless its with a few others unless its by email. I think I'll just suffer in silence not sure my MH can take a battering if it gets rejected.its taken me 2.5 years to get over the last time and I'm just about in an ok place now. I'll just have to work some overtime to combat the rising costs.

@Holidayyys that's awful, so sorry to hear. Do you know of anyone else at work that does flexible hours or anything?

Yes there are quite a few but I know that some of them were advertised as part time roles and weren't as a result of a flexible working request. Not sure about the others.

Do you have the kind of role that customers/clients/internal people randomly contact you? If so they may need 5 day a week cover, if not then they may not have a problem. It might be useful to state that you are seeking an alternative work pattern for x years (or months) otherwise you may find it hard to revert once your little ones are in school (long days can be tricky once at school, 30 hours spread over 5 days I found really good personally).

I would grant it but unfortunately not all work places are enlightened plus some genuinely need cover

Please ask- other workplaces do not have the toxic culture of teaching where you are treated like a second rate person if you dare to put your own life above the job.
Out of interest- do you mind me asking what you do now?

You need to be able to explain to them why you doing 4 hours less won’t be a problem. How do you propose that the work you usually do in those hours would be covered? If you go to them with a solution they may look more favourably on your request.