Hi, I would really like some help and guidance please. I have been working as a manager for the last 16 months and line managing a department of 5. We have all been given our consultation papers as the company would like to reduce the headcount to only 2 and remove the line manager position. I can fully understand why as the work load is changing dramatically.
One of the positions is working in London and this is the option that I feel would best suit by child care needs. I work in a company where most of it's employees work shift work. The department I line manage at the moment works shifts. I have asked to work one evening shift a week in the school holidays and it has been refused. I have been told that although my "new line manager" would approve a day off to cover child care,(and there has never been a case where someone hasn't got their time off), they cannot put this in writing. They haven't said why.
I have my next consultation meeting next week and it will be minuted that there has never been an issue with booking time off for child care. If I accept this position and in a years time there is a situation where I can't get the leave granted, will the minutes saying that they will approve leave stand up? I suppose it will be a gentleman's agreement. Also I haven't had a flexible working meeting. I stated in my first consultation meeting my requirements, but I haven't spoken to my new line manager about my needs. In a consultation can they just say no?