Flexible working - what happens if my request is refused?

[DrowningInClutter]

I'm hoping there'll be someone out there who has some experience or knowledge of this. Sorry it is a bit long...

My boss seems to be trying to make life difficult, I've requested 2 days and he wants me to do 2 and a half. At the moment I'm a bit in limbo as I'm not entirely sure whether my request is being refused or if we're still negotiating the options that are available.

The half day would mean a lot of travel for not very much actual work and makes childcare impossible difficult.

I've made every effort to be flexible so I've said I can work any 2 days and I'm open to taking phone calls in my own time if anything urgent comes up. I've also offered to take a sideways move into a different area if that could be more easily accomadated (same job grade but very different role).

Because it's all still quite up in the air I don't really want to involve the union if it's not necessary and I'd rather keep everything as amicable as possible. However I feel my boss is creating difficulties as a way of making my life complicated rather than working to find the best solution for his team. I'm not that high up and I'm certainly not irreplacable. The logic behind the 2 1/2 day scheme is that he'd want overlap between jobsharers where we could communicate but I can't see why this can't be done by phone on a 2 and 3 day split.

How much is it my responsibility to prove the half day isn't vital and how much is the onus on my boss have to prove that it is? What are my rights here?

Any help much appreciated.

i'm a staff nurse (not the original OP - i've just hijacked the thread )

good idea to add about "in the case of a flu pandemic..."

when i spoke to the union rep, she has already had "dealings" with my manager.

how does the official grievance procedure work? I'm due back off mat leave middle of may so will it be sorted by then? TIA

Have a look here

The NHS grievance procedures should mirror the above.

I must say, IME grievances are either over really quickly, in that things magically get resolved as soon as the words grievance + procedure are mentioned, or drag on for ages with both sides getting worked up. Of course, there are exceptions but it is impossible to say how long it will take in your case.

In any case, what you need to do is get it dealt with formally as a flexible working application which you can then appeal if they reject it. If you feel it is all been dealt with badly then you could submit a grievance then.

But think about the situation. At the moment you have a temporary arrangement in place with the working pattern you want, yes? Or am I getting you confused with the OP? I think you need to get it made permanent or even extended...the longer it goes on the weaker their case to end it so it may well be in your interest.