Would this sound weak in a flexible working request?

[9to5withshifts]

Hoping to drop my hours, I have informally agreed this already but it would be ideal if I could have flexibility on working days agreed with 12 weeks notice in advance. This is due to my DH being a shift worker with a variable pattern.

Should I say ‘due to my husband’s working commitments’, or childcare, or something else entirely? I feel like I need to justify why I am asking for certain things but I don’t know if that is the case.

Is your work completely independent of anyone else? I think it would be easier to manage if so. However, if you are in a group of colleagues carrying out a similar role and minimum staffing levels need to be kept, it's going to be harder.

Imagine a scenario where a colleague wants to book some leave more than 12 weeks away, but management don't know what days you're going to be working that week. How can they ensure adequate cover and agree that leave in advance?

Be grateful that your employer has informally agreed to your hours being reduced.

If you tack on that you need more flexibility due to your husband, they could cancel it all.

Your DH working pattern is not their problem and they wont give a shit either.

Thats a you problem. As the poster above says, how can the business manage when they have no clue what shift/s your other half is working? No sane employer would let themselves be beholden to something stupid like that.

You need to consider how you can benefit the business by working this way, what are the advantages for you at work not your home life. Your husband and his work isn’t their problem.

Don't use your husband or childcare as a reason as neither is important to your employer. As PPs have said you have to show why it is good for them as a business to agree to your request because if it isn't good for the business it can be declined.