Right to flexible working hours?

kingfisherblue

I believe that you can ask once in a twelve month period and it appears that you have asked for this year and been turned down (and it does sound like a good business reason). I am afraid that your personal relationships are of no concern to your employer in these circumstances. Perhaps your OH could ask for flexible working instead, to fit in with your work patterns?

Oldernotwiser

As your OH works for a government department, might it not be easier for him to be the one to ask for more flexible hours?

terra_ferma

Here's some info, with a list of people entitled to request flexible working (but no guarantee that they will get it!):
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Flexibleworking/DG_10029491

• have or expect to have parental responsibility of a child aged 16 or under or a disabled child under 18 who receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• are the parent/guardian/special guardian/foster parent/private foster carer or as the holder of a residence order or the spouse, partner or civil partner of one of these and are applying to care for the child
• are a carer who cares, or expects to be caring, for an adult who is a spouse, partner, civil partner or relative; or who although not related to you, lives at the same address as you

Your chances are very slim, as said before, it's not their problem if your partner works shifts.

Raksha

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As your OH works for a government department, might it not be easier for him to be the one to ask for more flexible hours?

Not without losing a 40% unsociable hours bonus

Raksha

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I believe that you can ask once in a twelve month period and it appears that you have asked for this year and been turned down (and it does sound like a good business reason). I am afraid that your personal relationships are of no concern to your employer in these circumstances. Perhaps your OH could ask for flexible working instead, to fit in with your work patterns?

I haven't formally asked, as in the request wasn't in writing (as he ACAS website says it must be). The stress at home is affecting my work. I wish it wasn't, but it is

ckerrd

Raksha wrote: »

Not without losing a 40% unsociable hours bonus

Up to you then to decide if the money is more important than the relationship.

Zazen999

I'd be careful before asking the Manager or the Boss to answer the phones. I imagine the reason they hired you was.....to answer the phones.

2 weekends out of 3 isn't that bad in all honesty.

C_Mababejive

As others have said,asking and getting are two different things

My work and its anti social demands, has rode a coach and horse through my life/relationship to the point where it is slowly and insidiously causing psychological damage. But i keep doing it becuase lifes' tough and well paid secure jobs are hard to find. Things could be a lot worse.

starrystarry

Only get to spend 2 weekends out of 3 together? You're either winding us up or you're completely out of touch with modern working patterns. I'd do cartwheels if I could spend 1 in 4 with my OH. He works nights and weekends, I work days (no weekends). We're like ships that pass in the night but I don't complain because there are millions of people out there who can't find any work whatsoever.

I'm afraid I can't summon up any sympathy for you whatsoever. You want the best of both worlds. Your OH is being compensated for working unsociable hours but you still expect your employer to allow you to choose your own hours. Who's going to compensate your employer for the inconvenience you'd cause?

Get on with it and be happy you're both employed.

DKLS

I would say no, purely for the fact that you are a PA and there will be a business requirement for you to be there during the core hours of business.

I guess its the curse of modern times, attempting to balance home and work, I haven't achieved it, I regularly work 80hr weeks, and so does my fianc! who is also a PA.

She is very well paid, she puts in long hours well over her contracted hours, has to go abroad with sometimes as little as 24hrs notice.

So like other posters there isnt a huge amount of sympathy, its up to you to find that balance.