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Problem with Work and child starting school
horse76
Posts: 649 Forumite
My child started school last week P1, I took time off work the first week to take her/pick her up. I drop her off at 9am, school operates a 'soft-start', go in with child to help them settle, but DD is ok to be left more or less straight away.
I explained to my boss that if I dropped her off at 9am, I could probably get to work by 9.15, by the time I got parked, walked rest off way etc. Boss said this was fine, don't rush too much. At the end of the first week of doing this (4 days), she asked me how long did I think it would go on for, and would I want to re-jig my hours and begin at 9.15. I said I didn't really want to do that, but eventually I may be able to leave her outside classroom at 8.45, once she got to know other kids in her class (wouldn't be too happy about this, but know she wouldn't move).
Later in day I was a bit miffed by what she'd said, as I and other collegues are expected to start 10/15 mins earlier (unpaid) to set up, so I feel it should work both ways iyswim. My work have been generally ok in the past about things like this, and do try to be flexible as much as they can. I'd originally thought I would give up my afternoon break for being late, then once I'd thought about it, probably not really entitled to a break anyway. I even offered to shorten my lunch break by 15 mins, only get 1/2hr lunch, but was willing to do this while being 15 mins late in morning. Boss was having none of it, saying I needed my 1/2hr at least. Just get the impression she's just acting funny (to put it mildly) for the sake of it.
DH seems to think an employer needs to be flexible regarding childcare needs, and an employer should have a valid reason not to grant it. I also don't have a contract, have requested one in past and I've been in the job 7 years, so not sure where I stand. Any advice would be grateful.
I explained to my boss that if I dropped her off at 9am, I could probably get to work by 9.15, by the time I got parked, walked rest off way etc. Boss said this was fine, don't rush too much. At the end of the first week of doing this (4 days), she asked me how long did I think it would go on for, and would I want to re-jig my hours and begin at 9.15. I said I didn't really want to do that, but eventually I may be able to leave her outside classroom at 8.45, once she got to know other kids in her class (wouldn't be too happy about this, but know she wouldn't move).
Later in day I was a bit miffed by what she'd said, as I and other collegues are expected to start 10/15 mins earlier (unpaid) to set up, so I feel it should work both ways iyswim. My work have been generally ok in the past about things like this, and do try to be flexible as much as they can. I'd originally thought I would give up my afternoon break for being late, then once I'd thought about it, probably not really entitled to a break anyway. I even offered to shorten my lunch break by 15 mins, only get 1/2hr lunch, but was willing to do this while being 15 mins late in morning. Boss was having none of it, saying I needed my 1/2hr at least. Just get the impression she's just acting funny (to put it mildly) for the sake of it.
DH seems to think an employer needs to be flexible regarding childcare needs, and an employer should have a valid reason not to grant it. I also don't have a contract, have requested one in past and I've been in the job 7 years, so not sure where I stand. Any advice would be grateful.
2017 - no clutter to be seen challenge: 72/2017
Weight loss the old style way challenge - 7/14lbs :j
Weight loss the old style way challenge - 7/14lbs :j
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Comments
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Don't compromise your dropping off time. If you want to see your Daughter into class safely make this known and don't feel guilty about it.
If you're working unpaid hours then knock the time off this to start with.
If you have been working without a contract suggest signing one with compromised hours to suit your new circumstances, as you've compromised for them (15 mins setting up) for quite a while.0 -
Thanks for the advice Mummyto2boys! This starting early unpaid is 'expected' of us, not sure if it was in the contract or not. All staff did have a contract made up, but they all got recalled as they were full of mistakes - I never saw mine, and that was about 4 years ago!
You're right will have to get something 'set in stone' if boss is going to be funny about it, but think I'll suggest again cutting my lunch by 15 mins, as I don't mind. I really don't want to lose 4hrs pay a month, may not seem like loads but can't afford to drop £20/30 a month from my wages.2017 - no clutter to be seen challenge: 72/2017
Weight loss the old style way challenge - 7/14lbs :j0 -
I even offered to shorten my lunch break by 15 mins, only get 1/2hr lunch, but was willing to do this while being 15 mins late in morning. Boss was having none of it, saying I needed my 1/2hr at least.
Actually that is legistation so your boss does not have a choice there - the minimum is half an hour.0 -
Horse - how high up is your boss in the management structure? do you have an HR department?0
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You have the right to ask for flexible working but not the automatic right to have it granted so your DH is only partially correct.
You'll need to check with the school that you are ok to leave a child unattended before start of school as ours only allow this in late juniors. Before that, there is a breakfast club for working parents who need an early drop off.
It may be best to submit a formal application if it needs to be for longer than a week or two.0 -
I agree with the above post. I would put all correspondance on this matter in writing, also maybe worth while knowing legal implication through citizens advice. Cheeky arent they..You do need to be there for your daughter for next couple of months whether she needs you or not. They should understand.0
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No offence by why should the people you work with pick up the slack because dropping your child off is making you late?
You choose to have a child, either arrange someone else to drop her off or adjust your hours. Children are a lifestyle choice, if you choose to have them then adjust your lifestyle. :rolleyes:0 -
I agree with the above post. I would put all correspondance on this matter in writing, also maybe worth while knowing legal implication through citizens advice. Cheeky arent they..You do need to be there for your daughter for next couple of months whether she needs you or not. They should understand.
Why should they? Are they a business or a charity? Why is the OP starting school the company's problem?
Where's dad? Can't he do the drop off/pick ups some days to lessen the effect on OP?I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair0 -
moongarden wrote: »Horse - how high up is your boss in the management structure? do you have an HR department?
My boss is the company owner, and it is quite a small company. They are actually really good about most things and do try to work around things like child care the best they can. It was the fact she had agreed to it in the first place, which was what got me.2017 - no clutter to be seen challenge: 72/2017
Weight loss the old style way challenge - 7/14lbs :j0 -
No offence by why should the people you work with pick up the slack because dropping your child off is making you late?
You choose to have a child, either arrange someone else to drop her off or adjust your hours. Children are a lifestyle choice, if you choose to have them then adjust your lifestyle. :rolleyes:
That seems to be what the OP is considering. She's asking for opinions on the best way to do this isn't she?
The job is obviously important to her, she sounds to have been quite flexible herself, working unpaid day in day out. Now she's asking for a bit of flexibility on their part to fit around her little bundle of 'lifestyle choice' as you so caringly put it :rolleyes:0
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