Overheard manager talking about changing my hours

[crikeybiller]

I work 24 hours a week and in December I put in a request to work the 24 hours over 3 days a week rather than the 4 days I was working before.
This was accepted. I did not receive anything in writing to say this was a temporary change and that it would be reviewed reguarly etc I was just emailed to say I could start.
I have been working this pattern since the start of the year. I have not missed a deadline or fallen behind with work. Infact I practically squeeze a full time job into part time hours and often stay on until gone 7 at night to get things done.

Last week I overheard my mangers talking aout my hours. Basically they have been annoyed since I put an annual leave request in. I took a week off and then I worked 2 days of the second week and then I was off for a week and 1 day. Other people in my department have had 2 weeks in a row, even 3 or 4 weeks but they really seem irritated.
I also overheard them making catty comments baou my holiday and stating that I was needed in the office more as I am the only person that knows how to do certainthings !!
They then started saying lets just tell her it no longer works and we will review it in September and theh turn it down.
WTH ?? How can they do this ?I am so upset. It doesnt seem to be driven from anything professional . What do I do if they do this ?
No one else has an issue with it ??
Are they alowed to do this ??

Piss poor management on their part.

1. You overheard them (are you sure it was about you)
2. They agreed to your holiday - would they prefer you to take it in a block
3. Why havent they trained others on these tasks that only you can do?

It was definitely about me.
I'm just upset that because they are seemingly " jealous " that in their opinion I've managed to be out of the office a lot with the way I've booked my annual leave that all of a sudden they want to cancel the arrangement.

I'm part time fgs !!!!
Im always going to be in the office less than them !!
They would rather I was in 4 days then 3 just because!! I heard their catty comments.
If I refuse to change back do I have a leg to stand on given that they never stated this was a temporary arrangement?

Go to HR. If they try to change your hours, ask for written evidence of how it's not working and the detriment it's having on the business. Employees are legally entitled to flexible working as long as it's practical. They would have to prove it's absolutely not working before making changes.

I’d go above them to HR, that’s shitty management. If there are certain tasks only you know how to do, offer to train somebody else in those tasks as a priority, so that there is cover for when you’re off.

HR.
If your AL was that much of an issue surely they wouldn't accept them?
Get someone else trained up.

What does your contract say op? And yes they just need to show it is not suitable for the business. They don’t need to show it’s detrimental.

I wouldn't let on that you overheard. Suggest to your line manager that show some of your colleagues some of the tasks they rely on you for. Put plans in place so the workplace doesn't miss you as much on the days you're not in.

What are the things only you know how to do? Get these written down so your peers start picking them up (SOPs etc)

Stop staying until 7pm. This shows your job can't be done in the hours you're contracted to do it.

Ring ACAS for advice

If you are almost doing a full time job, get paid for that and not part time hours.

When they ask to review your hours, that’s when you say yes, I’d like to work full time but with these hours remotely. Don’t tell them you know what was said.

Definitely wait for them to initiate the conversation.

I would try and ignore what you overheard OP. Trial periods are fine for FWR however this would be for an initial 3 month period to determine how it was going and then followed up with further action if applicable. Sounds like that didn't happen and therefore it's turned into a permanent working agreement

Well they sound piss poor management wise and unprofessional to boot!!

Why have they let it get to a point where only you can do certain tasks? They are paid to manage and they aren’t, not your problem.

good advice above about flexible working.

has it always been a bit toxic?

Did they adjust your AL entitlement correctly when you changed from 4 days to 3?