Negotiating flexible working

[Arthurfowlersallotment]

Any tips?

I have to plead my case next week with work. I've requested three days a week. I think they'll come back with four.

If anyone could share experiences or give advice on how to get what I want- I would be very appreciative.

[fortyplus]

Where I work you have to put the case for how it impacts on your team.

Can you work 'condensed hours'? ie longer hours on the days that you do work?
Or work from home some of the time? Hard to know without knowing what job you do!

[Samie10]

Good luck. I'd be interested to hear how you and others have approached it as want to suggest WFH to my boss, at least 3 afternoons a week. Good luck!

[DoItToJulia]

I negotiated by flexible working request before I went on maternity leave and it was tough. I needed 4 days but term time only.

I used my right to 13weeks unpaid leave as the way around it. (They wanted me 4 days, no term time only). I also threw a good chunk of my annual leave in the pot (but not all...with small children you never know when you will need the odd day off). Could you use those to make 4 days into 3?

Good luck!

[Arthurfowlersallotment]

Good idea re annual leave. I work in communications so working from home isn't really an option. I have figured out how I can minimise disruption- by checking emails on days off and being on the on call rota as if full time. I also plan on stressing how much money they will save.

Condensed hours wouldn't work as we deal with a lot of requests during normal business hours which generally need sorting that day.

[frankietwospots]

Hi there, I put in a formal request for flexible working for 3 days a week recently and had it approved no problem. Happy to share the wording I used if it helps you. Just PM me with your email address. Obviously you will need to adjust it to suit you but the general principles should work.

[Arthurfowlersallotment]

Thank you! That's very kind.

[13Iggis]

Hope you got it! Although many of us will check work emails on days off, that could never be compulsory - days off are just that. I suppose I'm coming from a point of view of never knowing anyone having their request refused!

[CeilingThomas]

Hi Arther, I also work in communications and am due to return to work in march. I am going to try for 4 days, work have already said they're not keen as its not fair on the team if I'm out for one day (potentially picking up workload) and I'd end up doing 5 days in 4 anyway.

My responses to these arguments are 1. I did 6 or even 7 days in 5 before I had DS, and I travelled a lot with work and was often out if the office anyway, only checking emails sporadically. The team managed.

I think the real reason they're not keen is that if they make the exception for me and allow me 4 days, then they'll get a queue of people lining up to put in their requests for fewer days. That is not my problem though.

Anyway, I'm going to suggest I use holiday to do 4 days a week for 12 weeks, and we assess whether it's working after that. If if is working then we make it a permenent arrangement, if not I will hand in my notice. There are plenty of other companies that are much more flexible.

I can't see they would have any grounds for saying its not working, as I know I can make it work.

Don't know if this is helpful or not but I'd be interested in how you get on since we're in similar lines of work. I'll keep you posted on my conversations too.

[mamanate]

Hi I am filling in the request for flexible working hours and I was wondering if anyone can give some pointers on how to fill in the how it will affect my colleagues, as they are looking to recruit as I'm not going back till July and so far anyone they have hired to cover my maternaity has ended up leaving.

[Arthurfowlersallotment]

Hello
Just wanted to let you all know I got what I wanted- yippee-

Thank you all for the advice, and Frankie for sending me her proposal to pillage for inspiration. It was really good.

I'm happy to send a copy of my request to anyone who wants it. Just PM.

[mamanate]

Hi my request for part-time 3 days instead of 5 has been rejected, I want to appeal and I was wondering what the 13 weeks unpaid leave mean and how can i use it.

[oinker]

I'm really stressing -

I've put my request to work flexible hours too. Am I being unrealistic -

2 x 8hr shifts per week - term time only -

U all seem to be doing lots more.
I'm due to return in 7 weeks and I've been told we need to negotiate but have heard nothing back from them.

Unfortunately, being in the police and frontline is a major issue. Been told that I need to be more flexible. Because I've been off for over 2 years (2 kids) my previous job/ role is gone. I have no idea where I am going back to all I know is it'll be in London and no idea what role?!
It's making me feel ill.
My 18mth old isn't even in childcare yet. I have no idea what to request from a childcare provider - hours or days. I'm in limbo!

Any advice PLEASE

[TheChimpParadox]

oinker

You need to go and see the Duty's Office - (are they still about ?) find out what you will be doing - response team or whatever.

You need to get your child care sorted asap if going for a day acare nursery they will want set days each week - so you will have to plan job hours round that.

So say nursery is Mon & Tues - work every shift with your team that falls on a Mon & Tues - exception of a Tuesday night shift - as you will have no child care on the Wed.

If you have a DH or partner that can have kids at weekend - work every Sat & Sun with your shift - including a Friday night shift.

This way the job has you at peak time and you get only two days childcare at nursery.

Don't know about the term time only however - remember there is a balance between your needs and what the organisation needs .