Flexible working request - what should my reason be?

[BusyMintCrab]

Hi all - I was looking for a bit of help with a flexible working request.

I have been struggling with my work for a while. I am desperate to leave and looking for a new job but as it’s likely I’ll have to change career and I live in a small place, it’s slow going. So I thought I would put in a flexible working request in the meantime to cut my hours and allow me a bit of breathing space. I’m just not sure what the reason should be/how to phrase it?

It’s a mixture of anxiety (was off work for 2 months last year with it) and my mum being poorly with cancer. She won’t get better but she isn’t actively dying, if that makes sense. I used to be good at my job but my confidence has plummeted, partly from work but also outside of work issues.

I was going to ask to drop to either 32 or 30 hours from 35. There are two others in my department who work 4 days - one just back from Mat leave and one who was off for over a year with MH, so I’m hopeful I’ll be allowed my request.

Thanks 😊

Legally I don't think you need a reason. It's more about if you cutting hours will impact the business/your colleagues. Does your company have an officially flexible working request form for you to fill out? What are the questions on it?

You don't need to give personal reasons. I simply said my request was to improve my work-life balance, and I felt it was a reasonable drop in hours that I would manage effectively through achieveable efficiencies. I'm sorry about your mum x

You don't need to give personal reasons but you might get more sympathy/ understanding if you do. You could say you have some caring responsibilities without going into details if you'd rather not.

Having said that, I have found being open with my employer has always paid off and I have just told them when I have had health struggles (physical or mental) or anything else which has meant I've needed time off/ flexible working.

I've never had anything other than a supportive reaction, but I work in the public sector, so it depends what your employer is like.

Be aware that others being granted doesn’t give you a stronger case. It can actually be harder for other requests to be granted as the work has to be done and the business needs staff covering certain hours to do it.

I wish you luck.

Thank you both! I had looked up the ACAS template and they included a reason but checked my works policy and they don’t mention it so that’s good. I’ll just get it done now.

I would still give reasons as it is likely to make your claim stronger I would say that you have:

• caring responsibilities for a relative with cancer
• Long term mental health and stress issues that would benefit from you being able to WHF and/or drop your hours.

I think it would be tricky for the employer not to be sympathetic if you make the above clear.

In my workplace it’s always advised to have a quiet chat with your manager first to gauge whether they will support you before putting in a formal request and catching them out. If they have any concerns about the impact on the business it’s better to understand those so you can work out how to minimise them and then be assured your application will be approved.

I agree with this. I had a chat with my line manager and we agreed the working pattern between us. The actual form was then just a formality for HR.

Agreed that would be the best thing to do, problem is we don’t have line managers anymore.. I really hate the set up.. But there’s a nice senior manager who has the most oversight of the dept that I need to speak to anyway so I’ll chat with him. I guess the worst he can say is ask someone else 🥲