Flexible working request - too soon?

[loveawineloveacrisp]

I started a new job earlier this year and passed my probation period a couple of weeks ago. Manager seems really happy with my work. My previous job was part time (80%) and I'd really like to get back to those hours ideally. Is it too soon to make a flexible working request?

What sort of work do you do?

I'm an account manager in financial services.

I made this exact request three months into a new job, once I'd passed probation. They had no issue with it at all.

that's not flexible working though, is it? that is reducing your hours by a fifth.

@Brefugee asking to reduce your hours requires a flexible working request.

thanks. where i am that isn't flexible, that is requesting a reduction in hours (and salary)

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/types-of-flexible-working

This has part time as a type of flexible working

Did it in previous role and it was classed as a flexible working request.

Probation was 6 months and I'm past that, just didn't know if it was too soon given role was advertised as full time.

I don't think you have anything to lose by asking. I really built it up in my head and worried unnecessarily

I think technically the law has changed so you can ask from day 1, but id still pass probation first, show your worth etc, so yes if I were you I’d go for it now. They can only say no.

@Brefugee flexible working is a broad umbrella term that includes part time working.

Well it’s taking the piss a bit isn’t it? You knowingly took the role on at full time hours …the minute you pass probation you want to reduce hours by 20%….. doesn’t exactly make hiring women sound a good idea does it

No harm in asking. I wouldn't give you it if you were one of my staff. We recruited full time for a reason.

You're also saving the company 20% :)

Honestly, a lot of employers are very flexible and forward thinking these days!

A lot of senior women in the company work 4 days. There's a precedent for it. But like someone had said, they can say no if they want someone full time. I'd probably get pretty much the same job done in 4 days to be fair so it's a win win for them. But do I really want to do the same workload for 20% less pay, I don't know.

Well no, if it doesn’t work for the business they can just refuse it, so not taking the piss at all?

Could you ask for condensed hours and do either a 9 day fortnight or 4 days of longer days and some ad hoc hours (that you don't actually do because you already get it all done in 80%)...?

It happens all the time where I work and no one has any issues. Just ask 🙂

It's not taking the piss, it's allowed by law and completely reasonable to ask. Yes it is called flexible working but this means you either have extra hours you have worked that you get to take off another time ( Flexi) OR that you want to work reduced hours ( part time/ term time/ 9 day fortnight) and your pay will be adjusted accordingly. Obviously if they need someone full time and this part FTE can't be found elsewhere in the team or department they will say no...It isn't an issue asking though. Loads of reasons why this may actually make the manages life easier ( not least because they will be paying you less and getting almost as much work out od you). Part timers almost always end up working more than they're paid for!

In my experience as a manager you usually get the same amount of work from someone whether they work 4 days a week or 5 tbh. Some of my best employees were the women on reduced hours.

Indeed which is why I think 4 days is a false economy for most workers (women!), OP I’d also look at compressed hours, especially if you do any WFH. I’ve recently done this and I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner.

Op can you ask off the record to test the water or do you have to ask officially?

How about working your 35 hours over four days then you’ll keep your salary with a non working day per week

I WFH full time but I don't want to do compressed hours as I work a 37.5 hour week so it's quite a lot extra to try and compress.

Do it op. I did similar and they had no issues.

Also agree the company gets a good deal with paying me less but I probably do a full time workload.