Relocation - Rush hour nightmare

egon

Hi,

Our offices are moving around June. Distance wise, there is no real difference between the new and the old location.
My real problem is the travelling time it will take me.
At the moment, it takes me about an hour to go to work (including drop off at school and nursery). The rush hour traffic to the new location will mean, that it will take me at least another 1/2 hour if not longer.

I've only been with the company for 7 month. I work 5 days a week (32 hours).
They have been pretty good with me, as the school was closed due to the snow and the little one was ill. These days they let me work from home. (I said, I have no issue taking holiday leave.) My line manager even randomly commented, how well I work from home!
I always (stated in the interview) that I wanted to work one day a week from home at some stage. Company said, they would consider it, if the right person comes along.

Now, with the office relocation, I will not be able to start/ finish at the times I work now, due to nursery.
So I mentioned to my line manager (one of the directors), if it is possible to change my hours, so I can work longer hours 4 days a week and the last couple of hours I would cover from home. Unfortunately, this is only possible from July onward, and this would leave one month, where I would struggle big style!

Now, my company is reluctant for me to change my hours, and also, it still leaves the issue with working times for 1 month. I cannot afford to work less hours due to nursery costs (I still would need the same nursery hours due to the length of travel).

So, I am a bit in a limbo. I love the job I am doing. The company has been unexpectedly good so far, but now are not willing to help/ discuss the issue with new hours.

Any suggestions and help to put things in perspective would really help!

Thank you,

Egon

dmg24

Is it really such a big deal for one month?

egon

It isn't me, who has the problem, but the company. I even offered to do things from home in the evening to cover hours! I just have to pick up little one at a certain time!

It is a bit of a muddle right now.

Oldernotwiser

I agree with dmg24, seeing that you love your job and they've been so helpful this far I wouldn't worry too much about a bit of inconvenience just for one month; concentrate your energies on finding a solution to your problem such as temporary extra childcare, taking annual leave etc.

Anihilator

It is you who has the problem.
The company employ you to do a job and already have been very flexible to accomodate you

Sadly for you they cant keep doing this and a time comes were you either choose your job or lifestyle.

alenax

Could you not struggle for one month? I can't really think of anything else you can do... If you're friends with another mother at your childcare place, you could maybe ask if you can drop your child off with her a bit earlier? Ditto if she could pick your child up and look after him/her for half hour or so.

dmg24

egon wrote: »

It isn't me, who has the problem, but the company. I even offered to do things from home in the evening to cover hours! I just have to pick up little one at a certain time!

It is a bit of a muddle right now.

Yep, it is your problem. They do appear to be pretty flexible with you, they have given you good notice of the move and they are changing your hours to suit you as soon as it is practicable. I think you need to show some flexibility back.

egon

The problem only starting to arise, as the company is relocating. If it wouldn't be for the relocation, there would be no issue. When I had my interview, there was no mentioning of office relocation.

I had hoped (and still do), that they would be a little more considerate, as I am trying to change the nursery times to suit the hours the company pays me. I explained, this can only happen, when the little one is 3 years.

Yes, the company has been fairly flexible so far. There is traveling involved to Europe, and I don't take time off in lieu for traveling time which mostly is overtime (due to flight times etc), (which I am covering through friends and OH), also I am not getting paid for it. My boss is very much aware of this.

They haven't yet agreed to change my hours from July onwards.

Savvy_Sue

Have you looked into other childcare options?

Fire_Fox

So the problem is one day per week for one month? Can't you just take annual leave for those four/ five days?