Flexible working request help

SteelLucy · 2022-07-03T08:25:51+00:00

Hi, I sent my flexible working request almost 12 weeks ago. I had a brief meeting which they said they would get back to me asap. It's 12 weeks on Monday which I know is the deadline for them to get back to me. I have a strong feeling that they have possibly forgot about me and won't get an answer Monday. As this is a legal requirement, what happens if they don't get back to me? Do I have grounds to make a complaint? Or to take it further?

Jalisco · 03/07/2022 11:58

You start by asking them why you haven't had a response yet. Make complaints when there is something to complain about. This is just at the stage of "ask the question". Things do get lost at times, and it's best to reserve "taking things further" for when you know there is a problem, not when you just want to know what is happening. It's best to pick fights when you know there is a fight to have.

IneedsomeSleeppleasenow · 04/07/2022 19:45

You have every right to ask for an update on your FW request, have you heard from them today?
It's a legl requirement that the employer responds within 12 weeks, so don't feel awkward for requesting an update. If you continue to not hear back, I would set a date ( one or two weeks) that you wish to have the outcome by otherwise you will escalate. That should move things along.

Ebonyhorse · 04/07/2022 19:50

Send a calendar invite to discuss

Original poster

SteelLucy · 04/07/2022 19:56

@IneedsomeSleeppleasenow I chased this twice just to see how it was getting along, the first time they arranged a meeting so we could discuss then the second time they advised they would get back to me asap. Haven't heard anything today, it's my day off but have access to work emails and nothing there!

OP posts:

IneedsomeSleeppleasenow · 04/07/2022 20:07

OK, so it sounds like they have all the info they need and it's "on their radar". They must still be considering it (which I guess is better than having rejected it already). You shouldn't have to keep chasing them as they haven't met their obligations so far.

Original poster

SteelLucy · 15/07/2022 20:56

Update- I chased this and after advising their time was up, they eventually emailed to say it was declined due to detrimental affect on the business as others would have to pick up extra work.

They have advised I can appeal and have given me a time frame but requests including appeals should be completed within 3 months, which by the time I have appealed and received a reply, it will be way past that mark.

Not sure what to do next

OP posts:

Jalisco · 15/07/2022 21:01

You explain why you cannot meet the deadline due to their delays. But in the end a detrimental impact on the business is a lawful reason to refuse. If they maintain that position you may not have much to go on. Can you show that their argument is false?

Original poster

SteelLucy · 15/07/2022 22:34

Jalisco · 15/07/2022 21:01

You explain why you cannot meet the deadline due to their delays. But in the end a detrimental impact on the business is a lawful reason to refuse. If they maintain that position you may not have much to go on. Can you show that their argument is false?

Possibly, they advised the staff/workload ratio is balanced so can't make adjustments, however, they have been advertising on job sites for my role, so they are still recruiting

OP posts:

Jalisco · 16/07/2022 08:08

But how does the fact that they are still recruiting aid your argument? That indicates they don't have enough people to do the workload now anyway. What have you actually asked for?

Ontomatopea · 16/07/2022 08:12

If you appeal then I would think of alternative patterns you can do, and would work for them and anything you can think of to mitigate the impact. This might mean working weird days if that's what's best for them, ie. Not going for Fridays off as that's when most people will want holiday.

Original poster

SteelLucy · 16/07/2022 09:49

Jalisco · 16/07/2022 08:08

But how does the fact that they are still recruiting aid your argument? That indicates they don't have enough people to do the workload now anyway. What have you actually asked for?

The way I viewed it was, If they are still recruiting then the work load will be getting easier anyway.

I proposed to work the busiest times in the company, so not anything extreme

OP posts:

Jalisco · 16/07/2022 12:51

SteelLucy · 16/07/2022 09:49

The way I viewed it was, If they are still recruiting then the work load will be getting easier anyway.

I proposed to work the busiest times in the company, so not anything extreme

Show quote history

The problem that you face is that your argument is that if they recruit them things will get easier in the future. You are asking for a change now. See what I mean?

I don't fully understand what you mean by saying that you propose to work at the busiest times - are you asking to reduce your hours?

user1487194234 · 17/07/2022 12:26

It’s a valid reason to refuse a flexible working request

TizerorFizz · 17/07/2022 19:14

@Jalisco
If there is work to be picked up regarding the OP not being there, it looks more like a reduced hours request. The OP says she will cover busy periods so that’s part time in my view. It’s not quite the same as flexible working.

Original poster

SteelLucy · 17/07/2022 23:12

I'd still be working my full hours but set times rather than the shift patterns, the hours I wanted are when the company is at its busiest.
It just feels like they have said that as an excuse and the fact they never met their deadline makes me feel like I'm not a valued employee.

OP posts:

TizerorFizz · 18/07/2022 07:39

I guess the issue is that they work shifts. Everyone presumably is the same. When we don’t get what we want, it’s always disappointing and feeling under valued is normal in these circumstances. It’s up to the employer though.

Aprilx · 18/07/2022 13:42

SteelLucy · 16/07/2022 09:49

The way I viewed it was, If they are still recruiting then the work load will be getting easier anyway.

I proposed to work the busiest times in the company, so not anything extreme

Show quote history

if you are not reducing your hours, how would others have to pick up extra hours to make up for it?

MalbecandToast · 18/07/2022 13:51

In my industry your request would be declined also, as it would mean others doing more than a fair share of evenings/weekends/nights to cover the shortfall you created.
Of course it's disappointing but if you want a fixed working pattern perhaps look at other roles where varied working isn't required

Original poster

SteelLucy · 18/07/2022 15:21

MalbecandToast · 18/07/2022 13:51

In my industry your request would be declined also, as it would mean others doing more than a fair share of evenings/weekends/nights to cover the shortfall you created.
Of course it's disappointing but if you want a fixed working pattern perhaps look at other roles where varied working isn't required

Yes I think unfortunately I think this is what they are saying, however looking at all the stats work reduces a massive amount after a certain time, there are days I'm working late and aren't needed as I have no work to do. I think I will need to look for a new job asap as I can no longer work the hours due to childcare issues

OP posts:

user1487194234 · 18/07/2022 15:25

I think that’s for the best
Shift work often doesn’t fit well with flexible work
IME if an employer is not keen on part time/flexible working it’s really hard to change that

Original poster

SteelLucy · 18/07/2022 15:28

user1487194234 · 18/07/2022 15:25

I think that’s for the best
Shift work often doesn’t fit well with flexible work
IME if an employer is not keen on part time/flexible working it’s really hard to change that

There are others that have had their requests accepted throughout the years, So I was hopeful! Thanks all for the advice

OP posts:

User33333 · 17/08/2022 20:51

Help needed please!

I work in the NHS and I was started a new job and found out I was pregnant. the new job was in a brand new department and team within the NHS and as such, we had very little work to do during my time prior to my maternity leave (approx 6/7 months). I am aware that the 2 colleagues who I immediately worked with have left their roles and as such, I do not know any other team member apart from my manager.

i want to apply for part time working (was working full time) but I am unsure what to write on my application given the limitations stated above. I am unsure how my caseload can be effectively managed within the team given that 1. I didn’t have a caseload and had barely any work to do prior to my maternity leave and 2. I don’t know the team members?! I have no idea how changing to part time would affect the company?! Please help!! 😭

Aprilx · 18/08/2022 06:24

User33333 · 17/08/2022 20:51

Help needed please!

I work in the NHS and I was started a new job and found out I was pregnant. the new job was in a brand new department and team within the NHS and as such, we had very little work to do during my time prior to my maternity leave (approx 6/7 months). I am aware that the 2 colleagues who I immediately worked with have left their roles and as such, I do not know any other team member apart from my manager.

i want to apply for part time working (was working full time) but I am unsure what to write on my application given the limitations stated above. I am unsure how my caseload can be effectively managed within the team given that 1. I didn’t have a caseload and had barely any work to do prior to my maternity leave and 2. I don’t know the team members?! I have no idea how changing to part time would affect the company?! Please help!! 😭

@User33333

I am going to suggest you start your own thread rather than tag onto the end of another one. This is for you to get as much help as possible, because a lot of people will open the thread and will start to answer the OP without seeing your question.

rwalker · 18/08/2022 06:33

Sounds like they have a valid reason rotating shift patterns and fix shifts can be a difficult mix
due to your fixed days off and other peoples days off rotating
you can end up with too many staff off when to rotating shift peoples days off fall on the same ones as you and also days where you have too many staff in
I’ve refused FW for this reason it gives peaks and troughs in staffing levels

wouldn’t bother mentioning there recruiting there doing that for needs off the business not to accommodate you