When to put in flexible working request

[Pinkypurpleflowers]

I have a 13 month old. I planned to go back to work part time after maternity leave, but was made redundant and therefore had to find a new job. I started a new full time job about a month ago, and really want to go part time. I didn't want to try to negotiate before starting in case it got things off on a bad foot but I think maybe I should have.

How should I go about making a flexible working request? Do I wait until I've been there 6 months so I can legally make an official request? Or broach the subject earlier? It's a big company but there aren't many part timers so I'm really worried it will just be outright rejected.

I think there’s a period of time you have to be employed for before you are entitled to put in a flexible working request.

It’s 26 weeks.

Sorry, I see you’ve stated that. I would wait the 6 months if you can. Maybe get a feel for the company and then make your decision.

Yeah legally it's six months, but just wondering if there's any harm asking after three or four. Feel like any decent company would consider it? Then if they turn me down I can make an actual formal request after six months 🤷‍♀️. No idea!

Is there a handbooks or anything? I know in my company you can only ask once a year so I'd be careful of asking early to test the water and using up your annual chance when you didn't mean to (if your company works in a similar way!)

Honestly I'd wait the 6 months and ask then.

Wait the 6 months. Otherwise you'll be asking for a reduction in hours before you're even effective in-role. It'd make you seem oblivious unless your business area is very quiet.

I was made redundant whilst on Mat leave (knew it was coming way before) but a yr later when looking for a job I wanted part time and was unsure whether to ask. In my interview they actually asked me if that’s what I was looking for which threw me a bit. Luckily was offered the job but I understand why women are hesitant.

im sure as others have said that you need 6 months service to put in an application and they can reject it for either of the following

• it will cost too much
• they cannot reorganise the work among other staff
• they cannot recruit more staff
• there will be a negative effect on quality
• there will be a negative effect on the business’ ability to meet customer demand
• there will be a negative effect on performance
• there’s not enough work for you to do when you’ve requested to work

I would think you are taking the piss if you asked now, you need to wait. And no it isn’t a reflection of a decent company to accommodate the newly recruited full timer with their part time request.

Thanks for all the feedback. I honestly didn't think it was such an outrageous idea to raise the subject before the six month mark, but you've all given me food for thought.

I think they’ve just brought in a law that they need to consider flexible working requests from day 1 and you have 2 chances a year to make a request, not just one! Please google as it’s super new news so I’m not across all the detail!

No that was a proposal, it is not yet in law.

I'd wait six months at least because they hired full time because they had a full time vacancy (if they had wanted part time they would have hired part time in the first place). By waiting you increase the likelihood of them saying yes, remember they are under no obligation to say yes, just consider your request. I would personally be trying to work out how they can cover your workload if you weren't full time, this is specific to your role and org so can't be generalised but for instance if you know a part time person wants to increase hours and you overlap that could be an easier way to broach the issue

Given they recruited you full time what will be your proposal/suggestion for how the work is managed? Whilst technically some may consider that the business’ problem it will go a long way to show you’ve thought how it will work in practice

This. If you want a good chance of succeeding you want to be able to suggest how any risks of the legitimate objections listed above can be mitigated. Do you know that? Otherwise you're just saying "please make 40 (or whatever) % of my workload disappear"

Before you accepted the job was the time to ask IMO but since it’s too late for that I’d wait 6 months and until I’d proven myself a valuable employee.

Why did you not look for a part time job? Wouldn't that have been the most sensible option at the time?

Anyway...too late now for sensible options, so you're left with the most practical one, which would be to wait the 6 months and then put forward a solid case for how it would benefit the business...as you can only apply once in a 12 month period, so it needs to be worth their while in order for them to be persuaded!

Why didn't you get a part time job if you wanted one?

I was made redundant and needed to find another job in order to pay my mortgage. A local, well paid job came up that I was qualified for, so I applied. I work in middle management in a corporate environment. I never see the kind of roles that I do advertised as part time. Everyone I know works part time was originally full time and then went back part time after mat leave.

I only want to drop a day, so only 20% less than I'm currently working. Condensed hours not an option.

Yes, thank you! I think it's such a great step forwards. Unfortunately I'm not sure it's going to be official law until next year. But I'm sure my HR team will be aware of the change, so hoping that might help my case.

A lot of people I know went part time after mat leave too, but they didn't apply for full time jobs and then request to go part time after 12 weeks of being there.

I'd be worried there wouldn't be a job for me at the other end tbh.

Are you in your probation period?

It is nearly! It has not passed its final stage in the HoL and moved to Royal Assent (which means it’s definitely coming in). Should become law next year so companies need to start preparing for this.

*now passed!

@Pinkypurpleflowers it’s such a shame you didn’t raise this as part of the negotiations for accepting the job. I think 4 days for a mum returning for maternity leave is perfectly reasonable and it’s a shame you saw that reasonable negotiation as starting out on the wrong foot, as you’re now in a more difficult position.
Depending on your current relationships and how you think it would go down. I would either a) have an informal discussion with your manager or b) wait until the official 6 months. I think only you can judge for your particular company/ set up which of those would be best.
But if it doesn’t work out, i would look for another role and be upfront. I think you will find good companies are receptive. Good luck!

Technically it’s 6 months but lots of places are accepting day 1 requests due to the changes in legislation currently being proposed. I asked for compressed hours when I was offered my job and it was accepted. There’s no harm in you asking.