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Original poster

Can I Fight For Part Time?

11 replies

Suziebuttercup · 12/01/2025 08:29

Hello, not currently a mother but in the next few years I would love one, currently checking for infertility as nothings happened of yet, however a massive factor playing on my mind now is my Md has outright said she doesn’t do part time, with the reason being if she does it for one she does it for us all, and it doesn’t work.. We’ve had people work part time (before retirement) but also another colleague who was hired on the part time basis before Covid, we also have one working from home and comes in the office once a week. Just adding to my stress really of 1 can I have kids and now this. Just reaching out for some advise does anyone know any unions I could join?

thank you in advance x

OP posts:
Zonder · 12/01/2025 08:30

You have the right to request part time. Your MD has the right to say no.

Are you in a union? That can help.

rubyslippers · 12/01/2025 08:31

you can now request flexible working from day one of employment but it doesn’t have to be approved
it does sound like people work flexibility at your office so there is precedent
yoi can call ACAS for free advice - they’re very knowledgable

BoilingHotand50something · 12/01/2025 08:34

I would stop worrying about it for the time being unless you want to go part time now? If you are able to have children, you may feel completely different once they are born. Some people don’t want to go back to work at all and find a way not to, some people can’t wait to go back full time. A few years is a long time in business. Your or the MD may move on. I would suggest you take one step at a time.

Overthebow · 12/01/2025 08:37

Concentrate on having children first op, your work may be a very different situation when the time comes, you might have a different MD, new policies or you may have a different job altogether.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 12/01/2025 08:39

You can ask for flexible working, but it's not a guarantee depending on your proposal - business needs come first.

At my place it clearly states in the request forms that if the request involves the recruitment of another person, it will not be granted. For clarity that's either dropping hours or compressed hours as we run a 5 day service that needs to be covered, so business needs come first. But different businesses do things differently.

PinkCherryPie · 12/01/2025 08:48

I agree with PPs. Everything will change once you have the baby, and things might move on in your company.

Everything I thought I would do, I didn't do.
I ended up only taking 6 months mat leave and I went back full-time after originally thinking I would go back part time.
Other people I know thought the opposite - ended up part time or not working despite originally thinking they would return to the workplace.

If you have time on your side, you could start looking for a new job but you may need to put TTC on hold if you need enhanced maternity pay (I guess this depends on what you get from your current employer), how much you like your job, etc.
I'm not sure I would be happy to work for someone so inflexible in any case, if she's that inflexible on this she will be in other ways and that would affect me with or without a baby. But that's me and my judgement on a tiny bit of information about her; you may think differently/know her differently.

Figgygal · 12/01/2025 08:54

You have the right to request it
They can refuse under 8 statutory reasons
You can appeal

That's it in terms of "fighting"

Other option is looking for a new job in a more flexible environment

HoppyHolly · 12/01/2025 09:26

Do you like the job and workplace in every other way? If so then it's worth sticking it out, as others have pointed out things could change over next few years.

However if you're not in love with it then I'd be thinking of another job. They don't sound flexible with their 1 size fits all approach and if part time work would be really important to you with a young child then I'd be looking for something else now. It's very difficult to find a "career" type job that's part time. it's much easier to be in the job full time already, go on mat leave and then request part time

redwinebluecheese · 12/01/2025 09:30

You are not entitled to it just because others are part time.
Your employer can refuse if it means as a business they have to hire by giving you part time. There are other reasons such as performance too.
Find part time elsewhere if they decline- if the reason is business then you will not get it by fighting it, if it is personal (less likely) then why stay with an employer that is unsupportive of you?

Original poster
Suziebuttercup · 14/01/2025 06:24

I need to join one, but not sure which one, is there any which is best for mums thank you. X

OP posts:
Zonder · 14/01/2025 08:45

Suziebuttercup · 14/01/2025 06:24

I need to join one, but not sure which one, is there any which is best for mums thank you. X

Depends what kind of job you're in I think.

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