Condensing Hours?

[CurlyTop1980]

Hey

I hope you are all well?

I posted many many months ago about my job and your advice was all invaluable!

So I work as a Team Manager for a safeguarding team. Its hard work and full time. I work probably 3/4 hours more a day (sometimes more in fact) than I should. I do try and take some time off in lieu but I can't always do this. Anyway my service manager who (TBH) doesn't really do tonnes of work, has just announced he is condensing his hours and will no longer be working on Mondays. He has no children, no caring responsibility etc. He just wants a day to himself.

I'm wondering whether I should approach management now to request the same. I already work extra hours each day. Condensing my hours and having a Wednesday off would mean I can actually get to the gym, be able to maybe get my hair done etc and potentially actually pick the kids up from school. I also have no time off at weekends as one of my daughters is playing a sport at national level and she had matches all over the country we need to take her too. So my weekends are very long and tiring.

What would you do??

Everyone is entitled to apply. Though I imagine that your role will be harder to say yes to if they don't have enough coverage for the Wednesday say within the team.

I'd also cite family reasons rather than hairdressers as a reason why it would benefit you.

Also, if you're potentially doing 20 hours extra a week, how will you manage your workload if you are working 4 longer days without the scope for those extra hours? (the capacity obviously needs addressing, but you see what I mean).

Do it. You have every right to put in a flexible working request as a parent.

I suppose my 3 inch long grey hairs mean I was being facetious! I defo wouldn't cite this as a reason!

I think I will broach it at my next supervision.

Shy bairns get nout
Ask.

Go for it! I do 5 days over 4 (similar area of work) and it's been a good move.
The "9 day fortnight" is a popular one amongst managers in my area too

Thanks. I will o jave my next supervision in 2 weeks. I am going to ask then. If they have allowed the service manager then there is a precedence so he can't really refuse. I have become better at managing my hours.

Batten. Thanks I will try my luck. If it doesn't work out for me then I can always change jobs. There is no shortages of vacancies in social work.....

I've thought Wed maybe a good day to ask for as most of the important meetings are on Thursdays and it breaks up the week a bit.

@CurlyTop1980

Thanks. I will o jave my next supervision in 2 weeks. I am going to ask then. If they have allowed the service manager then there is a precedence so he can't really refuse. I have become better at managing my hours.

You need to formally apply. Making sure that you address all of the business reasons they can refuse for.

As I stated above, if there isn't enough coverage in your team or if it would make cover harder to maintain, then it's a legitimate reason for refusal.

Everyone has the right to request flexible working- parents and non parents.

Your reasons why you want it are not relevant to your request.

You need to set out how you think it will work in a business context and you need to provide solutions.

Thanks Major. This will be my first time in 20 years of working full time (aside from one mat leave as I have twins) that I have ever asked for anything like this. I was able to negotiate 6 weeks unpaid leave last summer. So I hope that doesn't work against me.