Problem with Work and child starting school

horse76

feelinggood wrote: »

I'm not sure I fully understand what the issue is. You are currently wanting to arrive later, and boss has asked if you want to rejig your hours so this is possible. Is this not an option? Seems to me to be the most sensible and fair answer?

It wouldn't have been an issue if she'd just suggested it in the first instance. Instead, I was told it was fine if I came in abit later after dropping dd off, and not to 'rush' to try and get in. That's what I was miffed about. I've never been late in to work, other collegues have come in late if they've had Dr's appointments or have gone away during work hours to hospital appts, all paid, so don't feel I'm being unreasonable in asking for abit of time to sort this out.

feelinggood_2

horse76 wrote: »

It wouldn't have been an issue if she'd just suggested it in the first instance. Instead, I was told it was fine if I came in abit later after dropping dd off, and not to 'rush' to try and get in. That's what I was miffed about. I've never been late in to work, other collegues have come in late if they've had Dr's appointments or have gone away during work hours to hospital appts, all paid, so don't feel I'm being unreasonable in asking for abit of time to sort this out.

How much time do you think you will need before you are able to resume normal hours?

horse76

Limana68 wrote: »

Hi there
Just a few suggestions as I have been in a similar quandry myself! What time do you and your DH finish work? Do you get to pick up your child from school? Just wondering whether you can agree to finish work a bit later some days to compensate and ask one of the parents or your DH maybe to collect her some days?
I know how you are feeling, hope you work something out x

Picking her up is fine, as she goes to an after school club until I'm finished, and I'm off one of the days so I can pick her up myself. Working 15 mins overtime isn't an option, as I finish when my work closes.

iamana1ias

horse76 wrote: »

It wouldn't have been an issue if she'd just suggested it in the first instance. Instead, I was told it was fine if I came in abit later after dropping dd off, and not to 'rush' to try and get in. That's what I was miffed about. I've never been late in to work, other collegues have come in late if they've had Dr's appointments or have gone away during work hours to hospital appts, all paid, so don't feel I'm being unreasonable in asking for abit of time to sort this out.

People don't often get to choose when they get doctors or hospital appointments, and I'm sure the same has applied to you. You've also obviously had maternity leave which others may not have had :rolleyes:

The problem is that you weren't clear in the beginning. You said you'd be late in and your boss obviously thought you meant a day or 2. Your boss may now be worried that could realistically be late every day until your daughter is 18.

horse76

feelinggood wrote: »

How much time do you think you will need before you are able to resume normal hours?

I'm hoping only a couple more weeks, at least until she gets to know her classmates. Alot of the kids tend to just run about outside the classroom until they get let inside at 9:00.

horse76

iamana1ias wrote: »

People don't often get to choose when they get doctors or hospital appointments, and I'm sure the same has applied to you. You've also obviously had maternity leave which others may not have had :rolleyes:

The problem is that you weren't clear in the beginning. You said you'd be late in and your boss obviously thought you meant a day or 2. Your boss may now be worried that could realistically be late every day until your daughter is 18.

My boss knew it would be more than a day or two, as she knows my situation. I think I'll try to sort out someone to take her, like relative or childminder, which was going to be my last resort.

liney

P1 - your daughter is 4 or 5 years old? Perhaps you boss realises that you are intending to leave her alone unsupervised for 15 minuites before she is let into school and thinks it's inappropriate, so is offering to allow you to start late so that you don't need to do this. Even if the child in on the premises, school doesn't start until the children enter the classrooms, so it's possible she could wander off or even leave the grounds!

To be honest, there are plenty of parents who would like to be allowed to drop their children off directly to the classroom to avoid breakfast clubs etc, and I really don't understand why you have taken issue with her suggestion. You lose 1.25 hours pay per week, and don't need to pay a childminder, breakfast club or leave your child unsupervised. No contest. I'd be saying "Thank you very much; that will make my morning much less stressful"

Comyface

I do think your boss is being reasonable tbh. She is probably just worried that it'll go on for longer than she'd planned. A week of paying you when you're not there is quite fair I think. Any longer than that and and it's not really comparable to having doctor's appointments etc. and coming in late.

Could you afford to take the drop in wages for the two or three weeks? And then go back to your normal hours? Would be cheaper than paying a childminder if you can't get a relative's help.

horse76

liney wrote: »

P1 - your daughter is 4 or 5 years old? Perhaps you boss realises that you are intending to leave her alone unsupervised for 15 minuites before she is let into school and thinks it's inappropriate, so is offering to allow you to start late so that you don't need to do this. Even if the child in on the premises, school doesn't start until the children enter the classrooms, so it's possible she could wander off or even leave the grounds!

To be honest, there are plenty of parents who would like to be allowed to drop their children off directly to the classroom to avoid breakfast clubs etc, and I really don't understand why you have taken issue with her suggestion. You lose 1.25 hours pay per week, and don't need to pay a childminder, breakfast club or leave your child unsupervised. No contest. I'd be saying "Thank you very much; that will make my morning much less stressful"

Certainly wouldn't want to leave her. Unfortunately the school don't do a breakfast club either. Guess I never really thought about this realistically before she started.

horse76

Comyface wrote: »

I do think your boss is being reasonable tbh. She is probably just worried that it'll go on for longer than she'd planned. A week of paying you when you're not there is quite fair I think. Any longer than that and and it's not really comparable to having doctor's appointments etc. and coming in late.

Could you afford to take the drop in wages for the two or three weeks? And then go back to your normal hours? Would be cheaper than paying a childminder if you can't get a relative's help.

Think I'll have to consider the drop in wages tbh, but the way my boss put it she made it sound like a permanent arrangement.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice so far. :T