Work & childcare

[Avimore]

Hi
My workplace (NHS) has paid for a colleague and I to do a degree apprenticeship, which was completed this year. Following this two qualified job roles were advertised (for us to send our expression of interest to)
The job description said the role was for 37.5 hours a week, predominantly based at one hospital but with the expectation to cover at another hospital when required.
I applied obviously, but prior to interview I was asked about childcare and I said it’s not a problem whilst at base hospital but if I’m sent to cover at the other hospital I would be 30mins late in the Am & would need to leave 30mins early in the PM as I could afford additional childcare, on top of the price I’m already currently paying.
They then said I had no choice but to retract my application cause I could not fulfil the requirement of the role.
However, my colleague who also applied was given the job but she is currently on maternity leave for another 6 months & will only be returning for 3 days a week, despite the job being for 37.5hrs.
So I have offered to reduce my contract by two hours (which is what is would work out if I covered two days a week at the other hospital) OR work extra hours whilst at the base hospital, but they said this doesn’t work for them.
Advice? I’m bewildered why they would pay for me to do this degree so I can perform the tasks they need me to but then not make minor adjustments for me but can for my colleague? Is this like reverse discrimination that they are so worried about discriminating against my colleague they have agreed more than usual flexibility for her.
Also I finished with a better degree grade overall than her so I don’t think this is a contributing factor

That does sound tricky and unfair, could you call ACAS for advice?

Hi
I’ve submitted in online query to ACAS, they said they will respond in around 10 working days.
So I will just sit tight and see what they say.

Presumably your colleague is covering the full shifts?
Eg 8-4 but you want to arrive 8.30 and leave 3.30?
If your role is patient facing you simply cannot say you will be 30 mins late/ leave early or if its a ward area and colleagues are relying on you to take over eg they have done a night shift?
Flexible working is only granted if it can still meet the needs of the service
Extra CC is not anything to do with them, it's your responsibility

I didn’t think an employer could ask about something like childcare in an interview? Bet they wouldn’t have asked a man that.

I’m not entirely sure what start finish times they have agreed but I’m guessing it must be for the full day. They job spec was pretty vague so we didn’t know what we was gonna do until after we applied.
Totally get all the points regarding service needs etc. a really valid point. Although it would be of minimal hindrance to clinic lists in the grand scheme of things & I’ve seen them cancel patients to have a longer a dinner on many occasion but anyway..
I guess I’m just looking for someone to tell me why it’s of better benefit to the service for spend a tonne of money to give me to skills/quals for a job and not use it.. over adjusting the time of one patient appointment. If I don’t cover on those days, they’re going to hire a locum which charge double my hourly rate.

Oh & I think it’s also important to note that until about a year ago I was really close friends with the deputy manager (who asked me about the childcare originally) but we drifted apart as we both got busier and she took on a more principle manager roles

Have you spoken to your union rep?

stupidly not in a union! & if I join now they won’t help with something already ongoing

Could you really not afford the extra childcare? It does seem strange they have made allowances for the other person but as others have said they might be doing full days, could you job share with them? But would still need the extra childcare on your working days

Edited as I read it again !

I have looked into it & there’s only one childminder in my area that does pick ups from my son’s school and they currently have no availability.
There is also a minimum 4 hour charge per day.. which would be £80 a week for those two days alone.

Have you discussed with Recruitment and HR?

I think I am being realistic though that they cannot change the the clinic list for one person
For example they might need clinc x to be open at 8am to coincide with clinic y .
There might be contracts in place that clincs run at certain times/ capacity and it will effect their waiting lists, knock on effect with Dr's getting into OT and their lists etc

I'm not sure what the manager being a friend has to do with it?
She's responsible for running a service

Does school not have wrap around?

If I could explain my department to you, it would be easier to understand the dynamics.
There is none of those things you describe, we run pretty independently to all over OP clinics within the hospital.

Yeah I already use after school club everyday but because the other hospital is an hour away from home, afterschool club finishes before I can make it back to collect

Those were just examples but ultimately it would affect service provision

She’s working full days, you’re asking to work shorter days. They are different requests and depending on the service the latter may or may not be viable. In your case they obviously think it isn’t. Frustrating but I’m not sure what you can do. If your job description states you may be required to cover more than one base they aren’t doing anything wrong by asking you to do so, even if it is less convenient for you.

I just feel that it’s all just been a waste of time and money for all of us, giving me the qualifications then I cannot use them & now they’re going to spend more money on a locum.
It just seems like a shit situation all round.
but I guess like catinspector says, service provision needs to come first &

Do you have a partner? Could one of you drop off and the other collect? Potentially that’s reducing the pressure? Essentially sadly your childcare challenges aren’t works ‘problem’.

Otherwise I’m afraid that your situation is different to your colleague, in terms of them doing full days,
if fewer of them.

Hope it works out somehow .

So you're now a qualified HCP, aren't you free to apply for any job you want? Why is it only this one you're considering?

I’m worked here 10 years and they have spent so much money on me to do every course imaginable, so I desperately wanted to be loyal to them.
but, I have applied for some other jobs elsewhere since this has all happened

Are you a nurse?

Physiologist

Ah that’s tricky, it’s not easy to move roles I imagine and you will be needed for the whole clinic.

the childcare is something to discuss once the position is offered in future. Once you’ve been offered you have More negotiating power.

Have you been interviewed?

I’d not retract and ask to be interviewed and cross bridges when they come up. You may find that you are rarely at the other site and could work it somehow?