Right to flexible working hours?

Raksha

I work 30 hours/week as a PA/Administrator for a very small company (3 employees) 6 hours a day. My OH works in IT for a Government dept and works 24/7 shifts (3 rotations over a 5 week period).

We are finding our personal relationship getting more and more strained as we only get 2 weekends out of 3 together, so I informally asked my boss if I could work 4 x 7.5 hour days, taking Monday or Friday as the best day to spend some time with OH. He refused on the grounds that part of my job is to man the phone lines. 90% of the time at least one of the other two (the boss or the manager) is in the office.

If I put in a formal written request, would this be clear business grounds (as it says on the ACAS website) for turning down my request?

jdturk

I would have thought the Boss would be correct in refusing you even if its in written or not. You don't actually have a right to flexible working, you have a right to request it

jdturk

also 10% of the time even going by your stats would say no one is in the office so no phones would be answered

Clark80

You can request it in writing and then they refuse it in writing...

Raksha

jdturk wrote: »

also 10% of the time even going by your stats would say no one is in the office so no phones would be answered

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear - I would say that on a Monday or a Friday, it is very unusual that at least one of the other two would't be available to cover the phone calls.

I understand they can refuse, but according to ACAS, they can only refuse if there are 'clear business grounds' - given that the vast majority of the time there is somebody there to answer the phone (and if there isn't, the phone system can be forwarded to any number, including my mobile or home number if necessary)

jdturk

depends though, would you class answering the phone in their job role or is it in your job role, sorry to not be giving you the answer you require but if thats what your employed for and to cover 5 days a week then your hardly gonna be allowed to cut to 4

cannyscot_2

I take it you have children? inorder that you can have a request for flexible working?

Raksha

Yes I do have children.

I believe my predecessor worked 4 x 7.5 hours.......

jdturk

yes but I guess they felt this wasn't adequate and so the new person (you) was hired on a 5 day week

jdturk

basically you can ask but I don't think you have much hope. Good luck

Emmzi

when you ask it is a good idea to say how you think the work can best be covered.

not just expect boss to work it out themselves.