Flexible working request

[Palm2017]

First time mum here and 4 months PP. I've taught in UK schools for almost 10 years have been a head of department and faculty. Long story but I started at a new school just before I went on mat leave (same employer though so I have continued maternity rights). The new role was quite vague but because I was leaving so soon it didn't really matter. I fully intended to return to work full time after a year of mat leave but now I'm not so sure.. basically I'd love a day off each week to spend with my child and also have a bit of time for myself if he does a half day in nursery or something. Basically what I'm asking is how do I submit this request with maximum chance of success, and how far in advance should I do so? I'm thinking well before the new school year so they have time to work out the timetable.

Things to know:

• I'm happy to take a step down and just be a classroom teacher.
• I've heard that 4 days isn't worth it as you just end up working 5 anyway, but I'm quite efficient and have never had issues drawing lines and creating strong boundaries with work..!

Any thoughts appreciated - thank you!

The key to a successful request is solving their problems before they think of any, and selling it to them as how the employer benefits. Only you can figure out those arguments; and to an extent whilst you are right and the new school year would probably benefit logistically, your timetable for submitting it may depend on other factors. Given the circumstances, I would probably advise earlier rather than later as any possible recruitment or re-arranging of responsibilities may take time, and much of the summer can be a write off.

The other thing to consdier is that they may want to negotiate - and that may be to your disadvantage. 4 days a week can be awkward - losing a day can be hard to manage around for them, but equally imnpossible to recruit for. So they may come back with a different formula, and it's advisable to know in advance if you have any room to drop more time and how much.

But obviously be sure about what you want, because you don't want to get something and discover it isn't what you want!

I’d do it as early as possible as process can take a few months and you’ll need to sort childcare etc.

is imagine the issue you may have is that you’ll essentially be working an 80% week and May still be expected to attend 100% of staff meetings and possibly all teacher training days. You may need to double check how much planning time they’ll give you.

i worked a 4 day week for 12 years. I also have no issue drawing work boundaries and saying no. I did however do as much work as my full time counterparts but honestly I’d imagine they were slacking cos I wasn’t doing any extra!

Thanks for your replies. Do you think a 3 day week might be more attractive to them? Generally in teaching part time staff are expected to attend inset and training days, so that’s kind of unavoidable.

It really doers depend on circumstances. If you are happy and able to afforo drop more, you could offer them options and highlight your preference. So if you want 4 days, make that your preferred option, then 3 as a second choice. Just don't offer anything that doesn't work for you. Remember that this is a contractual change and so you may not be able to easily change it again in the future. So if you decided you wanted 5 days in the future, you would have to take your chances on them agreeing again.

I would start with the ideal scenario that suits your family circumstances, but be prepared to negotiate if they counter offer i.e 3 days, dropping a pay band etc. Don’t include those options in your first cut as you may be selling yourself short.

It is tricky, you need to set firm work / home boundaries to make it work.

Thanks all for your replies - definitely some food for thought there. There is something to be said for me dropping a tax bracket as my husband will be working full time and it would work quite well for us financially.