Found out on first day back my promised change of work hours wasn't put in place

[ToCaden]

What would you do?

When baby was six months I went in for a talk with my line manager. My mother had offered to look after baby when I went back to work after a year, but only for a certain number of days a week which was one day less than I was doing previously.

Line manager said this was no problem and guaranteed he'd have the change of hours put through in time for my return.

I just finished my first day at work. Now have a new line manager who said no change of hours had been requested, and was very negative about it being changed (seems most of her team is only on two or three days a week so perhaps she wants to keep me on more or thinks no more will be honored?) She seems nice, but we reached the end of the day and she still hadn't even put a request in.

I was panicking as only have childcare for the hours the previous line manager promised. My mother has sportingly agreed to try the increased hours until something is sorted which helps, but I feel sick being away from him longer than I'd planned every week.

My line managers only input was that I could try taking an annual leave day a week, but she wasn't sure how long she could honor that, and they probably wouldn't reduce my working hours anyway.

@ToCaden I don’t know if you’re maybe confusing a Flexible Working Request with something else? I also have forms in my work that I would fill in along with my manager to have a change to working hours etc. These are completely different to a Flexible Working Request when returning from Mat Leave.

You need to write directly to your work formally stating that you would like a change to whatever hours etc, give any potential impact to the business and how you think that can be dealt with etc. They have 3 months to consider your request and reply so it should really be done in plenty of time before you intend to return.

Hi. It is a flexible working request. We don't necessarily need to put the request in writing at my work, but do need to inform our line manager in some way we'd like to request one.

The form just has basics from employee (what working pattern and hours you had, what you'd like to change to, etc). Then rest of form is for line manager to fill out. (Though as I said as the bit from employee is fairly basic some line managers just make sure they get the information during a meeting with employee and fill in that, do their bit, then send it off).

Based in n everything you've stated then I think the onus is on the company here between a) handover from old manager to new didn't include discussion about you returning and b) new manager never reached out to discuss your return to work plans either

So I'd stick to your guns and validate with HR what needs to happen to process or secure your request as you believe that already happened.

But the flexible working request is your legal right.

You are describing a change of circumstances form which most organizations have which will trigger the admin work.

This is a good occasion to learn the lesson that these things are always better done in writing. If it matters to you, write it down

Dear xx, just to confirm we discussed y today and I am now going to eat my lunch on the roof. Please let me know if any issues arise with this, I will start on Monday....

Else you are stuck in a he said she said situation.
And this one was important to you

Good luck op

Agree with this.

Where I work a flex working request process would go like this:

• employee raises it informally with line manager
• line manager considers the request and business need and hopefully agrees.
• line manager agrees request with employee and advised them to fill in formal form
• employee fills in form and emails it to HR and line manager
• HR checks everything is complete and that both parties agree (and finance approve it, if there are implications)
• line manager raises employee contract change form on our HR platform
• HR issue new contract

Also the updated flexible working bill was passed this week that gives you more rights.

So amongst all this - phone ACAS on Monday for advise on your position, they will help you be prepared and ensure you binder stand your rights.