is it reasonable to request to work certain days?

[lillups]

im due back to work after having ds i used to work 37.5 hrs id like to drop these to 30 so that i can do 3 10 hr shifts. we arent entitled to any help towards childcare so my mum would have ds 2 days and dp s mum 1 day but this would have to be tue thurs fri as they both work part time, i could also work weekends so theres only mon and wed that i couldnt work , im a nurse so its shifts but im dreading asking for this pattern as team leader is not what you d call accomadating when it comes to rota, am i being silly or do you other mums request certain days ?

Request what you want and say why...but remember Team Leader has to consider others' needs and the service itself so basically if it's possible you'll get whst you want it not-not!

Sorry typed that too fast-meant to say if not, not.!

Your employers are legally obliged to consider any request for flexible working. However they will also need to consider their needs and the needs of your colleagues, but your request does sound pretty reasonable. COuld you ask for it and say that, in an emergency, you would work a Monday or a Wednesday (and if you have to, either get one of the grandmothers to cover or pay for a childminder/nanny as a one-off).

When I went back into teaching part time I was able to request days, there was some flexibilty over days. But there had to be some compromise to meet with the needs of the school and other staff.

No harm in asking, but be prepared for them to say no. The childcare situation is not your employers problem, so I would be careful how you word your request. ie: saying that you want to work on these days because that's when you get free childcare, will not be a justifiable reason as far as the employer is concerned.

Legally they have to look at requests for mor flexible hours, but they do have every right to turn down requests if it impacts upon other people or the business. Some jobs are just not that flexible.

see here www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/EmploymentDecisionTrees/WorkingPatterns/right_to_flexible_working.dsb?DPF 0=0-1-0-0-0-0-0-&DPF1=1&vgsubmit=%C2%A0+Next%C2%A0+

hope the link works (read down - you'll see the answers I gave to the questions.

try to emphasise the advantages.

I do all my on-calls on a Tuesday. work were initially resistant to this, but I explained that this is the day that DH has DD, so I wouldn't have to dash off for childcare, and therefore could work late if required to as part of on-call duties. If I did on-call on other days, I'd have to leave at 5 no matter what was going on, in order to collect DD from nursery.

stress that if you can work on your chosen days, you can stay late if needed eg if the ward are short. this demonstrates that you are thinking about what will be of benefit to the whole team.

I'm with perkin. did something very similar. but now in a 9-5 role but work 3 days covering 30hrs.

also are there any other new mums in your area that have had flexible working patterns agreed? might be useful to know who they are.

don't forget childcare vouchers if you do need paid childcare - your HR dept should have sent you info, they are ordered at source and are exempt from NI and tax.

could you offer to do the more popular /unsociable hours shifts for sickness etc?

I've got one dad that does all day sunday and monday for me and its great - means the full timers very rarely work sundays.

can you get childcare vouchers even if you dont qualify for help towards childcare from tax credits twinkletoes? thankyou everyone for your answers

You can request whatever you like, but the request may not be granted.

sorry justgot back to this. yes vouchers are from your salary before deductions and yes, you can get them without qualifying for tax credits.

only thing to note is that you have to stop receiving them for a short period if you fall pregnant again otherwise it mucks up SMP.

you can take a max of £243 each month. your DH should also have a system at work and can claim the same too. If both claim you'll save approx £2k in tax and NI