Help with flexible working application please..

[Aleesmum]

Hi,

I am filling in my flexible working application and I have a question. I have a job where one day a week I have a 2 and a half hour commute one way. Now naturally this is a very long day for me and before DS was born I would leave home at 7 and come back at 9.

Now I want to request that I do less hours and leave work earlier so that I get home at say 7 instead of 9. Still a long day and I BF so I am worried if DS will be able to cope.

So in my application, do I have to give a reason and explain that it is because I BF DS? Or should I just say I want to work less hours and not give a reason?

Thanks!

Whether it's to do with breastfeeding or not is irrelevant. You could mention it if you want to but you don't have to.

All you need to confirm when making a flexible working request is that you are entitled to make one, and that the request is for the purposes of caring for your child.

Thanks flowery! I will not mention it then

Hi Aleesmum,
well, actually, when I did my formal request for flexible working, I did mention that I am breastfeeding because it is actually a bonus for your employer. This is because b/feeding is good for your baby's health and means you are less likely to need to take time off for a sick child.
If I may, I would recommend that you file a formal request because I went the informal route at first, following my employer's procedure and it nearly failed - they were only prepared to consider a job share when I wanted to work Mon, Tue, Fri. The formal request was screened by HR and I argued the case better and they just accepted immediately.

Thanks Matou. I have filed a formal request because I felt, like you, that it had become necessary! Waiting to hear from HR now..