I'm being interviewed for my own job - but I'm stuck with a decision

[user1471867483]

I have an interview for my own job which I've been doing temporarily for 10 years in the NHS. They are letting go of their in-house temporary workers, and I have to apply for my role or receive a 4-week notice. I chose to apply for my role. Currently, I work 4 days a week, but if I apply, I'll have to switch to 5 days, which doesn't suit my circumstances.
Should I follow my colleague's advice and pretend I can do 5 days at the interview, then request flexi-working after being hired after I work a month or so in the role, or should I be honest about my need for a 4-day week during the interview? What would you recommend in this situation? Even if I apply for flexi-working, my request may even be turned down. My friend said life is too short and to just get a new job altogether, meet new people, etc.
TIA. 🤔

Well this may not be an option, but my friend applied for her job and when the contract arrived, she hand wrote over it herself and changed the wording from 5 to 4 days and sent it back and just continued as she was doing a 4 day week. She was very brave and that was years ago but it did make me laugh, and also worked.

Will the people interviewing you know your current work pattern? They might mention it in the interview ( that the role is 5 days). I suspect if you say you can’t do 5 days you will find they don’t offer you a role. What happens if they refuse your flexible working request can you do 5 days for any extended length of time?

Yes, the two people managing me know my working pattern and my home issues. These two are the ones interviewing me too. The two who are interviewing me have only been here 10 months and the other one 3 days! I'm thinking of saying I'll do 5 days and will do the 5 days if I'm offered the job and still apply for part-time work. At least if I get a job even after working two weeks in my role permanently, I can just hand in my notice.

I’d go for it and after a month or so apply for 4 days. Jobs are difficult to find right now

Not sure if it's the same but I was temping with Glasgow city council and after two year's continues service they had to make me permenant

if you want the job , I’d take it and them apply for 4 days.

If you don’t want it, please phone the ACAS helpline to ask for advice in your rights as you have been there 10 years ( I’m assuming you are not an agency worker ). The helpline is free and you don’t have to give your name or where you work.

www.acas.org.uk/contact

If they do not allow 4 days are you willing to do 5? Could you make it work?

I'm really not sure why you wouldn't be honest from the start? People interviewing you already know your arrangements, so seems a bit baffling not to tell the truth up front. I went down to 30 hours a week in June and have just applied for a new role, one of the first things I mentioned in the casual chat with the recruiter was to ask about flexible working as I value my time off and if the role had to be 37.5 I would prefer to work compressed hours.

Absolutely! I work in the NHS and it’s committed to supporting flexible working but you have to be realistic in what you ask for! Generalisation of you offer a bit of flexibility it will go through easily!

Hi
after 10 years continuous employment you are entitled to 10 weeks notice and redundancy pay even if you are not a ‘permanent’ worker. have they told you it’s 4 weeks notice?
Although 10 years in I would argue you are not temporary staff anymore.

as someone else said I would phone ACAS and get some advice and ensure they are following the correct legal process

On what basis are they treating you as temporary after 10 years? Doesn’t sound at all right to me. Have you had any legal advice or phoned ACAS?

Do you mean do a 5 day week in 4 longer days OP ?

You are aware that they will have to make you redundant and all that entails, Including giving you 10 weeks paid notice If they dismiss you. I dont think they will ask you about working 5 days.

What's their justification for it being a 5 day a week role if you've been doing it for 10 years in 4 days? Are they proposing a 20% pay increase? Or do you do 4 long days?

BTW you have exactly the same rights as a permanent employee.

As far as I recall if you have two years+ continuous service under your belt as a ‘temporary worker’ you automatically achieve permanent employment rights.

Can they make her redundant? I thought they could only do that if the post was being made redundant, and it’s not is it as they are interviewing for it.

I have just been made redundant from nhs as have many of my colleagues as our project came to an end.. The normal nhs redundanv terms on AFC are one month for each full year. Also after 2 years on a temporary contract you are classed as permanent.

They are interviewing for a 5 day post so it’s different. Get advice from ACAS op.

@JoyousOchreCritic is completely right op - NHS hr is so bad at knowing this though. Get what you’re entitled toto.

I would check your legal status. Do they give you a new contract each year? 10 years is a long time to be a temporary worker. I would find out more

google says that you are likely a permanent employee as there is legislation that states that after 4 years on continuous service on successive fixed term contracts then your job becomes permanent unless employer objects.

You have the right to 1 week’s notice for every year you’ve worked if you have worked continuously for two years

Ahh - the jammy bastards.

Imo,honesty is always the best option

Is the role changing so that 5 days would be required in order to complete the work, or is it staying the same and can be done by someone over 4 days?

If the job itself isn't changing, then you have a fairly good case for requesting the hours you want.