Submitted the request just under 28 days ago, I'm pretty certain I won't get a proper response within the timescale because when i discussed with my boss, he is struggling to get any time at all with his manager as only works in our office 1-2 days a week and the overall head has just been replaced so everything is up in the air.
I'm not sure how best to play it. I would (obviously) really like the request to be accepted, it's not a major change but a reduction of a couple of hours with two longer days and two shorter ones so I can pick up DS from the 9-3 preschool he is starting in August.
I don't have to have a decision right away, spoke to the afterschool club and they have said I can submit changes to my initial request up to the start of August.
I would however very much like to know, not least because if it is refused DH and I have been discussing the possibility of me having a career break ( career break = no chance of returning at current salary or grade ever, little chance of going p/t and good possibility that no future contributions can be made to final salary pension).
I had discussed it verbally with my boss and he had thought that maybe restructuring it slightly would work better and I'm absolutely ok with that, but this wasn't an acceptance it was more around him actually just considering it for the first time.
He hates getting HR involved and I know if I start talking about official timelines etc I will just wind him up and hence have less chance of it getting accepted ( he can refuse it if he wants to and cite business need as the reason).
My colleague submitted a request, didn't hear anything for 3 months and just decided to go for a career break instead, which has of course caused tremendous hassle for the department due to having to advertise do interviews etc. One would think they might be keen to consider future requests within the required time frames, but doesn't seem to be that way.
Anyway how best should I play it please ?