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Original poster

Employer trying to make me reduce my hours to remove flexible working!

12 replies

6birds · 07/11/2022 10:12

I really need some advice. I have 3 children, my middle child being disabled. Following an unsuccessful operation in Feb it now appears that the disability will be long term.

I have been unable to work my contracted hours for around a year now due to various issues. During this time my working arrangement had been fairly flexible and I have been WFH mostly however my hours have been significantly down and during this period I’ve had to sell my car and take a loan from work .

I am now returning from 6 weeks off sick and my employer is wanting to remove my flexible working and this will mean reducing my hours as I can only be on-site during school. I cannot do this as I need to work my full hours to cope financially.

My problem is that if I agree to the new working hours and it doesn’t work out I will have to serve 3 months notice. I would be further ruined during this time with childcare and petrol costs. I feel like it would be better for me that they release me from my employment now if they are not willing to offer flexible working to help me fulfil my hours.

Where do I stand? Any ideas?

OP posts:
Namechange13101 · 07/11/2022 13:09

You say work have been pretty flexible with you so far, but surely you've been on reduced pay already due to the reduced hours you've been working? Or have you still been paid your full time salary while working reduced hours?

Princessglittery · 07/11/2022 13:25

It’s not quite clear what the situation is.

Are you contracted to work 37.5 hours but have been working 30 hours and still being paid for 37.5? Have you been working 37.5 hours over the week but WFH and working when you can and they now want you back in 5he office or working more regular hours?

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/11/2022 14:11

You say in your title remove flexible working - have you completed a formal flexible work application or has this been a casual ad hoc arrangement?

WYDMAD · 07/11/2022 14:19

Have you still been paid in full or are you being paid according to the reduced hours you're working?

Aprilx · 09/11/2022 03:39

Like others, I don’t really understand your post. You mention removing flexible working and later not allowing it, which are two different things. I think you need to clarify in order to get best advice.

TeachesOfPeaches · 09/11/2022 03:52

Sounds like you've annoyed your employer with your 6 weeks off sick.

Quveas · 10/11/2022 18:27

You need to provide a lot more information to get any meaningful advice. But... whilst I would NEVER suggest resigning (there are always options to explore) if you ask your employer to accept an immediate resignation, and then resign in that basis, it is very unlikely (not impossible, but almost impossible) they could do anything to you on doing so.

But being unemployed is no fun and there may be much better options. What seems bleak may not be. And their "first choice" may be defeatable...

Please don't so anything hastily...

MichelleScarn · 10/11/2022 22:24

So are they saying you can change to these reduced hours permanently but you'll only be paid at this rate?

Lougle · 10/11/2022 22:30

Have your hours been down because you couldn't meet your contractual obligation? I'm also confused.

Littlebluedinosaur · 13/11/2022 08:53

I WFH but have to use after school club for my school age child (little ones are in full days at nursery when I work). I wouldn’t be allowed to WFH without childcare. I think that’s fairly standard and fair on the part of my employer. It’s okay to have my school age child at home on the odd occasion if they’re poorly for a day but they’re of an age where they can watch a movie or draw or play independently while I work. If your employer wants you in the office then it’s probably because they know you’re not working your hours properly and don’t have childcare in place for your working hours. And yes 6 weeks off sick won’t have helped with their understanding stance.

Quveas · 13/11/2022 14:59

Littlebluedinosaur · 13/11/2022 08:53

I WFH but have to use after school club for my school age child (little ones are in full days at nursery when I work). I wouldn’t be allowed to WFH without childcare. I think that’s fairly standard and fair on the part of my employer. It’s okay to have my school age child at home on the odd occasion if they’re poorly for a day but they’re of an age where they can watch a movie or draw or play independently while I work. If your employer wants you in the office then it’s probably because they know you’re not working your hours properly and don’t have childcare in place for your working hours. And yes 6 weeks off sick won’t have helped with their understanding stance.

To be fair I agree with you (most employers now say the same thing) but it isn't clear the OP is intending to do childcare and work simultaneously. If the work can be done flexibly then it can be worked around childcare etc (I have a number of staff who do that). If they are working at 10pm when Freddie is in bed, that's fine by me (and my employer). So the specific circumstances matter

Littlebluedinosaur · 13/11/2022 15:31

@Quveas i agree. And I hope the OP is coming back with more details….

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