Wfh request

[lifeis48]

I currently wfh 1 day out of 4 day week. My elderly parents health has been bad for a few years now. They are carers for my sibling with learning difficulties. I put in a request to wfh an extra 0.5 days in the week so wfh 1.5/4 to allow my sibling to come to mine while I work. Respite for them if you like. It was refused but instead I could swap my wfh day to this other day requested. If I want to have additional 0.5 wfh needs to be formal request bearing in mind discussions are in place to consider taking it away altogether for admin later in the year. Currently another colleague same role is allowed to wfh 1.5/3.5. Is this reasonable?

Who will be your siblings carer whilst you are working though?

How will you be able to work if you are looking after your sibling? They don’t have to let you have more wfh time so you may have to settle for changing your day.

I would sit working on my laptop in the same room while she does her crafts. She keeps herself busy. It was to give her some away time out of her home.

It was to allow her time away from the home in another residence. She sits quietly occupying herself with crafts.

It’s not unreasonable on either side. Submit a flexible working request covering the entire week so if they do implement a return to work you’re already covered.

Although, IMO it sounds like a good setup and compromise as it is. Why does it have to be your office day?

It is requesting wfh the same number of days my colleague has who also happens to work less days in the week

Can she not come in your current wfh day?

Because I currently work in the office 3 days a week. 4 day week 1 day wfh 3 in office. Do you mean why don’t I have my sibling on my non working day or on the 1 day I wfh. I do I’m asking for an extra 0.5 day wfh like my colleague has.

your colleague may have a stronger case

It was to give my parents an extra 0.5 day respite and my sibling is currently struggling being at home with parents in ill health

Oh I’m sorry. I misread.

I would get the flexible working request filled in and submitted. Usually businesses will look to match other colleagues so it sounds hopeful.

I’m not sure there’s much point asking for it as it’s been stated the wfh is currently being reviewed to potentially get us back in the office full time later in the year?

They may then see it as just asking for a 3.5 day week instead of 4

Why is that? She wfh half day extra as apparently she lives a distance from the office and it’s not worth her while coming in half a day I believe

She also didn’t have a case to answer. She was asked to work an extra 0.5 days a week and was allowed to wfh. No request was made on her behalf

I can't see the point in wfh 0.5 of a day and being in the office for 0.5 of a day.
surely it only makes sense to do a whole day at either.

However, if you put it to your employers that your sister needs to come to you 'because she needs to be looked after' / for respite, then they are quite right to turn down any wfh requests.
If you need to be sitting with her, then you aren't giving work 100%.
Now, clearly that is going to depend on the work you actually do, but for many people that wfh, the understandable condition of that is that you concentrate 100% on your work.

It is reasonable for them to consider "would you consider it reasonable to have your sister come into the office with you?" - which presumably you wouldn't - so therefore, you are not in a working situation on the day you are needing to care for her.

I don't understand, if she sits by herself doing crafts and you can carry on working as you don't need to look after her at all, then why does your parent need that 0.5 day respite? Respite from what? Sitting in the house not looking after her??

Your colleagues arrangements are nothing to do with you either, unless you line manage the colleague then you don't know for certain why she has flexi adjustments in place,

I get what you’re saying. She is just there doing her thing and I’m not really having to provide care to her just allowing her to be in a change of . I can focus on my work just like if my children are home. It’s just another person at home.

She is just there doing her thing and I’m not really having to provide care to her just allowing her to be in a change of

So why would your parents need respite ?

It can't be both.

Obviously I don't know anything about your sister, and don't really feel comfortable discussing her needs on here without her consent, but you are asking why your employers have turned down your request, and we are explaining.
If a person has needs that mean they need to be looked after at all times and the usual carer needs respite from them, then it is reasonable to assume whoever the respite carer is (ie, you) also needs to be looking after them.
You can't really describe the same persons needs as both being a person that usual carers need respite from and also a person that doesn't need me to do anything for them during my working day. It doesn't make sense.

If they are looking at reviewing wfh for your team then you might not even be able to have her 1 day in the week soon. You should put in a formal fl Conley working request to get your wfh agreed. Either stick to one day or try an extra half day too.

They don't have to treat everyone the same. We had 3 people in a small team each go off on mat leave in short succession. The one who got their flexible working request in first got the days and pattern they asked for. By the time it got to the third request they'd left it so late and had been beaten to the days and hours they wanted so it was rejected.

I would make sure you make it a formal request. Specify a couple of patterns that would work for you or state you don't mind which days if possible. Consider condensing your hours?

The new rules means they will then have to demonstrate why it won't work rather than putting the onus on you to explain that it can.

I would make absolutely clear in your request that you won't be caring for your sibling while working.

How old are your children? Because a lot of places wouldn't be happy with that either.

Like a PP I don't feel comfortable asking your sister's needs but if you're saying its to provide respite then it would suggest to me as an employer that you would be doing some form of caring/needing to be vigilant

I disagree I think that's more reason to ask for it. To formalise it. I'm in a hybrid role and I asked for it to be put in my contract as if they change their mind I'm screwed for childcare

You're asking for .5 WFH and having a caring job for another person not capable of being independent. Sorry, but no it's not appropriate. If something happens to your sister you'll (of course) prioritise her and not work. Same reason they don't allow WFH because you don't want to pay for childcare.

They have to review it if you apply and you can apply more than once in any one year. Use your employment rights