Right to flexible working hours?

Indo77

I usually get 1 out of 4 full weekends with my wife, sometimes none in any given month. She is off this weekend but only because she is on annual leave.

jdturk

Raksha wrote: »

You have no idea how comfortable my shoes (or those of my OH) may be. I posted facts on here which are relevant to the issue, there is a lot of other stuff which I haven't mentioned because it's not relelvant to 'flexible working' but is relevant to the time I get to spend with my OH.

you posted facts and got your reply, it just didn't agree with what you wanted to hear unfortunately...

Raksha

I didn't say I didn't agree with it, but a little empathy goes a long way to softening bad news.

Fluffi

Raksha wrote: »

Thanks to those who've been sympathetic.

To the others - walking a mile in another man's shoes might be useful............

You don't have a right to flexible hours, just the right to request them and if it doesn't suit the business then they can turn down your request.

Its difficult for everyone to be sympathetic when you've stated that your OH gets a 40% allowance for working this rotation patten. The employer is compensating for the anti-social hours, lack of family time etc with extra pay. Lots of people don't get compensated so well for anti-social hours. Either your OH can work similar hours to yourself and get paid less or continue to work anti-social hours for his current pay. Its his choice. (Whether financially he can afford to do so is another discussion though)

Raksha

Fluffi wrote: »

You don't have a right to flexible hours, just the right to request them and if it doesn't suit the business then they can turn down your request.

Its difficult for everyone to be sympathetic when you've stated that your OH gets a 40% allowance for working this rotation patten. The employer is compensating for the anti-social hours, lack of family time etc with extra pay. Lots of people don't get compensated so well for anti-social hours. Either your OH can work similar hours to yourself and get paid less or continue to work anti-social hours for his current pay. Its his choice. (Whether financially he can afford to do so is another discussion though)

I never claimed I had a right to flexible hours, what I do have is the right to formally request a change to my current hours. I haven't excercised this right before now, although I have brought up the subject in conversation and been given that reason for it being refused, although I never actually had a confirmation that it would be refused.

What I wanted clarified was wether his reason for not granting that request was a valid one, bearing in mind his claim was that he wanted the phones answered and there was somebody available to answer them the vast majority of the time.

Why the fact that my partner earns a 40% allowance for doing his shift pattern has any bearing on wether or not my employers reasons for not granting my request I don't know.

To those who feel they are in a worse off position than me - if you could see a way towards spending more time with your family and loved ones and not losing any money - wouldn't you ask for other people's opinions on the subject? Would you appreciate being told be thankful for what you've got?

jdturk

there is no harm is asking Raksha and they can only say No and as you know if you don't ask you don't get.

which is what I think will happen but you never know.

fabforty

Raksha wrote: »

Would you appreciate being told be thankful for what you've got?

I might not appreciate it, but I would do it nevertheless.

Your current situation might not be ideal, but it's pretty darn close. Many of us have had to make the same choice, (i.e. between earning more money or spending more time with family) - the vast majority having to make do with fewer than 2 weekends out of 3, or without 40% mark up on our pay. Makes it hard to empathise or sympathise with your 'predicament'.
Ask your employer, he can only say no (or rather, continue saying no). If/when he does, put it behind you, chalk it up to experience and ...'be thankful for what you've got'.

terra_ferma

Raksha wrote: »

I never claimed I had a right to flexible hours, what I do have is the right to formally request a change to my current hours. I haven't excercised this right before now, although I have brought up the subject in conversation and been given that reason for it being refused, although I never actually had a confirmation that it would be refused.

You are totally misunderstanding your rights:
http://direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/EmploymentInteractiveTools/DG_10028440
Take the test and it will tell you:
"You don't currently have the statutory right to apply for flexible working as you're not applying for a different working arrangement to help care for a child or an adult."

This right is not meant to help people spend more time with their partner....

Raksha

Thanks terra-ferra - that is a valid point and it is taken on board.

knithappens

remember as well that asking vedrbally is not the same as asking officialy in writing, often employers will say no verbally to put people off asking, check out these links to see how to go about it. I teach and have just sucessfully had my application accepted, PM me if you want to look at my letter i submitted for an idea how to go about it.

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/workandfamilies/flexible-working/flexforms/index.html
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Flexibleworking/DG_10029491

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/EmploymentDecisionTrees/CaseForFlexibleWorking/case_for_flexible_working.dsb?DPF0=0-1-1-1-0-&DPF1=0&vgsubmit=%C2%A0+Next%C2%A0+