What to write on flexible work request for DH

fairgame84 · 2023-01-21T11:20:04+00:00

DH currently works early's week 1 and lates week 2. I'm on mat leave and when I go back to work we need DH to work days so he can do the nursery run for DD. He asked his boss but they have asked him to request it in writing. What do we need to include or do we just put that it's due to childcare reasons? I'm a nurse and work long days so can't do the nursery run, do we need to include this information in the letter?

KangarooKenny · 21/01/2023 11:22

When I did it I pointed out that it wouldn’t affect the rest of the team, or me getting my work done.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 21/01/2023 11:27

I think you need to make a case for how it would work for DHs business, rather than why you want it. The fact that his wife is a nurse is not relevant (to them) they will instead want to know that the change in hours will not impact his productivity or that of the team. The letter should be about the needs of the business more than your domestic arrangements, I think.

silverclock222 · 21/01/2023 11:30

A formal flexible working request needs to follow a specific set of criteria - go onto acas and it will specify what you need to cover.

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 11:31

There are already people working day shifts and it wouldn't affect his productivity - he's a machine operator.
It would mean there is one less person to work from 6am and until 10pm.
If they say no he will leave anyway because we don't have family to help with childcare and I can't change my shifts.

It's just how to word it properly.

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Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 11:32

@silverclock222 thanks, I never thought of acas, I'll take a look.

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Bw23 · 21/01/2023 11:35

As above, it’s not about the reasons why you need it but about how it will benefit the business.

LIZS · 21/01/2023 11:35

It needs to show how the impact on the business can be managed effectiveky. Is a childminder an option for nursery runs?

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 11:42

LIZS · 21/01/2023 11:35

It needs to show how the impact on the business can be managed effectiveky. Is a childminder an option for nursery runs?

A childminder doesn't open early enough for me to drop off before work or late enough for after work.

I work 7.30am until 8.30pm.
DH does 6am until 2.30pm and then 2.00pm until 10.30pm.

Nursery is open 8am until 6pm.
There is only one childminder in our area that works all year round and she's open 7.30 until 5.30pm. The rest are all term time only.

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MaverickGooseGoose · 21/01/2023 11:45

He needs to prove that it won't affect the business, from the pov your childcare is irrelevant.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 21/01/2023 11:46

You need to think of Irvin the context of business need and how the change can be accommodated without negative impact on the business.

is he a high performer with a particular skill or knowledge that they would miss if he were to leave
could he fill a gap elsewhere by going on to weekends where they have less cover once a month
is he able to evidence that his not being on nights wouldn't cause targets to be missed as he would be supplementing/increasing day shift productivity.

The law says that the company has to consider flexible working requests but not that they have to accept them so if they can make a legitimate argument that his request would be detrimental to them they can refuse it

ZeroFucksGivenToday · 21/01/2023 11:47

I assume he gets shift pay? And that will stop moving to days.

the problem with a machine operator doing days is that they lose 8 hours of usage on that machine, unless they have lots of them, then they wouldn't do that. It's wipes out productivity. Good luck with your request.

motherofawhirlwind · 21/01/2023 11:47

Best thing to do is think of all the reasons they could say no and then suggest how to fix those issues i.e. missing one person from 6am and after 5pm - won't affect overall productivity because x, y, z or recruit someone on a split shift to cover

custardbear · 21/01/2023 11:48

In my company we have to show how the same job can be done, ie cover by others so productivity isn't affected.
The others on 9-5, were they employed as this or did they change?

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 11:49

ZeroFucksGivenToday · 21/01/2023 11:47

I assume he gets shift pay? And that will stop moving to days.

the problem with a machine operator doing days is that they lose 8 hours of usage on that machine, unless they have lots of them, then they wouldn't do that. It's wipes out productivity. Good luck with your request.

No he doesn't get shift pay. He gets the same hourly rate regardless.

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KnickerlessParsons · 21/01/2023 11:49

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 21/01/2023 11:27

I think you need to make a case for how it would work for DHs business, rather than why you want it. The fact that his wife is a nurse is not relevant (to them) they will instead want to know that the change in hours will not impact his productivity or that of the team. The letter should be about the needs of the business more than your domestic arrangements, I think.

This is good advice

Clymene · 21/01/2023 11:52

Unless someone who works days is willing to swap with him, I can't see they're going to say yes.

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 11:54

custardbear · 21/01/2023 11:48

In my company we have to show how the same job can be done, ie cover by others so productivity isn't affected.
The others on 9-5, were they employed as this or did they change?

They changed after employment.

One of them who got days lives with his mum and his mum locks the door at 9pm so he had to go on days to make sure he was home on time.

It's a small company and there's not a lot of consistency. Just one lady does HR. They were clueless when it came to paternity leave as well, apparently nobody had ever requested paternity leave until DH.

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Onecattwocats · 21/01/2023 11:56

Clymene · 21/01/2023 11:52

Unless someone who works days is willing to swap with him, I can't see they're going to say yes.

This always makes me smile on mumsnet. The op asked for help drafting the request not for unhelpful opinions on whether it will be granted or not!

LIZS · 21/01/2023 12:00

What exactly is he requesting? "Days" is ambiguous. Could he do an 8am rather than 6am start for example .

LlynTegid · 21/01/2023 12:01

One of them who got days lives with his mum and his mum locks the door at 9pm so he had to go on days to make sure he was home on time.

Seriously? Unless his mum has a disability and needs some assistance, that is so ridiculous even a lying scumbag would not use an argument like that.

As mentioned earlier, focus on the needs of the business. If your work is not the same days as your DHs, perhaps offer for your DH to do a shift on the one day or two you are not working.

thaegumathteth · 21/01/2023 12:05

When do you need the new pattern to start? I'd consider any issues there too and try and reassure

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 12:19

@LIZS so 8.30am until 5pm or 9am until 5.30pm. They always do 8.5hr shifts.

@thaegumathteth to start when I go back to work in July. We're trying to get an answer early so DH has time to find another job in case they say no.

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KateMcCallister · 21/01/2023 12:19

When do you go back to work? The laws around flexible working are changing

Original poster

fairgame84 · 21/01/2023 12:23

KateMcCallister · 21/01/2023 12:19

When do you go back to work? The laws around flexible working are changing

July

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BungleandGeorge · 21/01/2023 12:25

It’s irrelevant what his co workers hours are, it’s judged on whether they can accommodate his request at this point in time.
I presume you only do 3 long shifts? Are they the same days each week? Can he or you work weekends? You may have a better chance if you request 3 day time shifts for him and the other 2 stay as they are.