Help with flexible working

[Zashdi]

I started a job 6 months ago in London that I really enjoy, it involves wfh 4 days a week.

I am on a 35k salary and live with my parents. However, they need me to move out due to lack of space. I’d like to rent a 1 bed flat but cannot afford to do this in London so I’d like to move outside of London, but looking at the prices I’d need to move quite far out. Due to this, I’d like to wfh 5 days a week or do less than 4 office days per month.

What points should I make when I address this with my manager? Can I do this informally or do I need to put in a flexible working request? Does this seem like an unreasonable request? FYI my job doesn’t require me to be in the office and I have all the equipment I need to work efficiently from home.

Sorry if this is a silly question, this is my first proper job so I’m quite inexperienced.

I think the important questions to answer are what kind of job is it, is everyone else on the team expected to be in one day a week, is it the same day each week for the whole team, do you have specific tasks on that day that can only get done in the office?

My gut reaction is if you would be travelling for 1-1.5 hours each way to get into the office one day a week, I wouldn't try to rock the boat. However if others WFH full time and it has no impact on the job, negotiate away.

Oh and request it formally once you have discussed with your manager so everyone is clear and you don't have expectations on you to go in suddenly.

Great questions!
It’s an admin job as part of a big team, there is no set day to go to the office and I don’t have specific tasks to do on specific days. My job is basically to do one type of task and I organise my days with how I get that task done, alongside virtual team meetings. I think there are others who wfh in my role as I’ve never met them and know others who have never met them.

I currently live in London but my job is on the other side of London, so it currently takes me 1.5 hours to get to my job. However as you said I don’t want to cause any difficult relations.

It’s worth asking. I’d definitely start with an informal conversation with your manager.

There is probably information on how to make a formal flexible working request on the ACAS website.

I’d also try finding out if the company has issued any “back to the office” type mandates in the last couple of years . If they have they may be reluctant to make an exception for you, and length/cost of commute won’t strike them as a good reason. don’t be surprised if their attitude is slightly that it’s up to you where you live but not up to them to change working pattern because of it.

Is there a reason you cannot flat share? Most of those moving out of home for the first time or leaving uni do so. It is a good way to be independent while earning a lower salary by splitting costs and may enable you to live closer to work. It is important to gain contacts and experience working with colleagues.