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.

Thank you for a couple of more positive replies! Agree I should have negotiated up front and that's my mistake. After being made redundant I really needed a job (and this particular one ticked almost all the boxes) and was worried about jeopardising my chances.

@Eve171 I appreciate they might say no, but I'm almost certain they won't sack me for asking about flexible working! What kind of companies have you worked for that would do this?! I'm still in probation for another month, and will definitely wait until after then before raising the subject, just debating whether I really need to wait the full six months.

I didnt say they'd sack you for requesting flexible working, but personally yes I would be worried that they'd find someone who wanted to work full time and manage me out or down.

I'm a woman, I know what companies treat mothers like.

You must do too, because you didn't ask about going part time at your interview..

Agreed. They're far more likely to grant you flexible working after you have proven yourself properly and have become indispensable in the role to them. Asking when the ink on your contract isn't illegal but think it would send a poor message about your priorities so early on.

It's always worth remembering too that they may so no . They're only obliged to consider it , not grant it.

Well nearly or not, it is not law and I was correcting the poster that said it was.

Regardless does it really make a difference? If I recruit somebody to fill my full time role and on day one they request to go part time, because they are allowed to in law, it would not change my opinion or should I say my disappointment with that new employee. Yes, I would be regretting my hiring decision, no matter what law says. OP should have asked about this during the negotiations.

Agree with this. It would have been easier at the pre-job stage. Maybe they had other applications you could have job-shared with! Causes everything more hassle to do it now

Just ask.

My workplace accepts flexible working requests from day one whilst others places stick to the statutory requirement.

You wont know until you ask the question.

Just an update, for anyone else in a similar situation...

Despite the largely negative views on this thread, I spoke to my manager about going down from 5 days to 4 at my 3 month probation meeting. He was really understanding and supportive, and my request was signed off. I was so nervous about even asking, but needn't have worried at all.

I guess the moral of the story is, there's no harm in having these conversations - good employers will be receptive to them.

Thank you for sharing an update on your situation, I’m so pleased for you 😊 Hope your 4 day week is working out well!

I’m in the same situation, having been made redundant before Christmas from a job I did 34 hours over 4 days, took on a 37.5hr job in the new year which they’re happy for me to work my hours over 4.5 days with a Monday afternoon to take my son swimming. I know to some this will seem ungrateful, I’m really missing having the whole Monday off we used to have together, it’s really getting me down. I’ve only been there a month but I know deep down I can’t do this long term as I really don’t want to be missing out on time together over the next 2/3 years before school era…he’s been really pulling at my heart strings this weekend being the cutest little person ever, now I’m sat here wishing I didn’t have to work at all 😔

With the legislation coming in next week, would love to hear your view on whether I should wait until my probation period ends in mid July to ask for something like 35 hours over 4 days so sliiightly less than my current hours, or ask now? I’ve hit the ground running and already delivering on my objectives, I can put forward plenty of reasons how it will work fine but if it’s rejected, I could ask for a compromise of a 9 day fortnight and trial it.

Any thoughts appreciated :)

Ohh tough one - that's quite a long probation you have so I can see why you don't want to wait. I'd be tempted to approach it now - maybe as an informal chat with your boss to start with? Would be nice to get it signed off and get your Mondays back in time for summer. Three months is long enough to have made a positive impact I think, so if everything is going well they won't want to lose you.

Reading with interest as I've just been made redundant post mat leave from an extremely flexible role (compressed hours allowed) and like op very few jobs in my industry are advertised as part time, but then almost all people seem to go part time after mat leave/have established themselves in the company.

Feel quite sad about it in that I will have to apply for full time to secure a job and its interesting to see viewpoints that I just need to be quiet until 6 months in. is it better to not raise it at interview stage as they might not consider me for the job at all??

Most jobs say full time and mention 'flexible' and hybrid working but no mention of part time

Thank you. I think with the legislation changing next week I’m feeling braver to do it after the bank hol once I get my reasons together and think of ways I’d meet the criteria (or more so have strong and realistic suggestions for how I can make it work if challenged)

Having done a bit of digging today into who works compressed/part time hours across the business (I’m in HR so in fortune to have access to this info!) and also having found out today someone joining our team next month in a senior role will be doing 4 days a week, creates more leverage and gives me hope it will be accepted!

I think like you were, I’m really worrying because of how much it means but fingers crossed it will be alright.

Firstly sorry to hear about your redundancy, it’s never easy but especially after mat leave when you’re expecting to be settled in a job to work with your busy family life. I was made redundant 6 months post mat leave return, promise it will be ok ❤️

I think nowadays lots of companies do offer it but don’t make it clear in their adverts/careers sites. I’d say it’s fine to ask at interview stage what flexible working means to them and some examples of what flexible working patterns are like, if they’ve said they offer it- it’s an open question that they can’t assume will mean you want part time specifically. They then might ask you what you’re looking for so it opens the conversation. Hope that helps if at all?!

In my industry jobs are almost never advertised as part time, but people have that conversation at interview/when negotiating. They don't join then make a request, they agree it before starting.

Are you working with a recruiter or searching independently?