Right to request flexible working after maternity leave

[jennieflower]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice....

I'm due to go back to work in June, I used to work a 32 hour week over 4 days but I'd like to cut this down to a 24 hour week over 3 days. I've asked my employers if I can go in and have a chat with them about returning to work but they've insisted that I fill in a flexible work request form before they'll see me!

I'm pretty sure they're going to reject my request as another colleague has just been refused and she does the same job as me, I know jobs are hard to come by at the moment so my last resort would be to go back to work as normal then request flexible working hours in a few months time.

So can I ask for flexible working hours initially, then withdraw the request when they refuse, then ask again in a few months?

You can't withdraw a request once it's been refused I'm afraid.

You can push harder for an initial discussion to explore the likelihood of it being accepted though, so that you don't waste a request. But the bottom line is if they refuse to discuss it without a proper request that's up to them.

Thanks flowery. I thought that would be the case.

I've asked if they'll discuss with me before I complete the form, I'd like to try and work out a working pattern to fit around everone else before I make my request so at least I've got more chance of being accepted. It doesn't look like they'll even discuss it with me without getting the form first though!

I believe you can only make one application to change your hours under the flexible working laws per 12 mths. I'm in a similiar situation whereby i'm also about to change my hrs but i wanted it agreed up front before I put the application in to ensure that it was accepted so I discussed it with my line manager and got him to agree first, as he is the one that signs off on it.

Can you contact your line manager directly and discuss it with them?