When to ask for flexible working, when applying for new job?

[cocopop100]

I have a first interview for a new job this week. In my current role I work five days in four compressed hours and would like to continue with a four day week. At what point during the interview process do people bring up flexible working? I realise raising it from the beginning would be the most honest and transparent, but the reality is it could compromise my application. I’m interested to know what others have done - do you raise it from the beginning or wait until you have a job offer? Grateful for any thoughts or advice!

I would time it to coincide with the “when are you available to start?” question. Particularly if you’re flexible.

Your work are wrong. You can now ask from it from day 1 of employment. Unless you are in NI which has different rules.

Look on glassdoor first. I would not ask during the interview process, I’d wait until offered, then work normally for a few months to prove yourself then apply.

Also is it the type of job that would need cover on the 5th day?

That’s all very well, but it might well be a “no” at that point, or at any future point. Not every business offers CH - it can be really tricky to accommodate everyone’s preferred working patterns. CH can be a particularly controversial one because - assuming no overtime is paid (pretty standard these days) - then everyone in a team working 1 or 2 hours over at a busy time is not unusual, and nobody minds…. until one of them gets Friday off (and is paid the same!) I have seen CH go very wrong indeed.

Wait until you are offered the job.

I work for an incredibly flexible organisation but they don’t allow compressed hours. More amend more companies seem to be moving away from it.

I agree about compressed hours. I was denied compressed hours at a new job (which was advertised as full time), but 0.8 was fine.

Bring it up early. Don’t waste your time or theirs. You don’t want to work for someone who deprioritises your application because you want flexible working, it would sift them out early as shit to work for.

I am about to recruit for a new role. I work 34 hours across four days. I’d be open to the person I need to recruit having a day off per week, but I couldn’t make two or more work. My employer doesn’t support full time hours in four days anymore, only a nine day fortnight or part time. We generally work very flexibly but I’d be concerned if someone was going to pick children up from school and they were of an age to need parental input when home. I’d much prefer someone to have an open conversation before applying. It gives more time to think about what might work.

Totally depends on the nature of the work surely

I don't think you need to mention it. It's either company policy to allow it or it's not. If it is allowed then talk to them after you have accepted the job about when you can start it. If not then don't go for the interview.