Flexible working - at what point to mention during recruitment process?

ibelongtoguy

Hi - I currently work 2 days per week as I have a 2 year old daughter.

I have decided I'd like to go back to full time work; I doubt there will be room for me to this with my current employer so will be seeking a new job.

I'd love to work compressed hours (full time over 4 days) or try and do a f/t job over 4 regular days (32hrs?). At what point do I mention this during the application process? Should I write on the apllication form that's what I'd like, or wait until I get offered something then try and negotiate??? Obviously I don't want to put off potential employers, but also I do not want to waste people's time.

The reason I want to do these hours if for a better work/life balance, but also because I wouldn't be able to send my daughter to nursery for all of the days due to money.

Can anyone advise how best to proceed? Many thanks, also if you have any experiences when applying for new jobs and flexi work patterns.

xx

Oldernotwiser

It may depend on what kind of work you do and whether your skills are in demand.

I understand the concept of of compressing full time hours into 4 days but not your comment about " a f/t job over 4 regular days (32hrs?)" - could you clarify?

ibelongtoguy

I understand, it's probably difficult to tell. I don't want to affect my chances of getting an interview.

I meant if a job is advertised as 40 hrs per week over 5 days, that I would offer 32 hours over 4 and obviously pro-rata the salary. I know...it's a bit of a pipe dream :-)

Oldernotwiser

ibelongtoguy wrote: »

I understand, it's probably difficult to tell. I don't want to affect my chances of getting an interview.

I meant if a job is advertised as 40 hrs per week over 5 days, that I would offer 32 hours over 4 and obviously pro-rata the salary. I know...it's a bit of a pipe dream :-)

OK, part time. There are probably more chances of being a .8 in the public sector - I used to be a .9.

ibelongtoguy

I am in the public sector. So it's .8 I'd be looking for? Thanks that's helpful.

But when to mention...?

RedSoleShoes

I think you should be upfront at the start when you apply. It is not fair to waste time by attending an interview then saying "oh by they way, I only want to work 4 days, not the 5 you are advertising".

heretolearn_2

I think you need to mention this early on. In some roles the compressed hours (fitting 40 hours into 4 days) would work fine, with other jobs you really need someone there all the time. For example, we have a couple of people on fairly flexible days/times as long as their hours add up, but they don't deal with our clients. Other jobs, where clients expect to be able to get hold of you during office hours, couldn't be done on this basis. This may not be obvious from the advert so I'd let your employer judge. I'd mention it if I were offered an interview.

I meant if a job is advertised as 40 hrs per week over 5 days, that I would offer 32 hours over 4 and obviously pro-rata the salary. Pipe dream, yes, you know that isn't going to happen. If the job could be done in 32 hours then the employer would already be offering that - why would they be paying someone another 8 hours uneccessarily?

Savvy_Sue

I would phone before putting in your application and ask the question in general terms, then go from there. Ask if you should put what you want to do on the application, or raise it at interview.

Local authorities often have a policy about flexible working / applying for job shares etc. I know it's not actually a job share you want, but in principle they would usually consider it. Other organisations like housing associations and charities may be similar.

Of course some posts NEED a 'presence' during 'opening hours', so only working on 4 days could be difficult. And I had one person looking at a job description for one of our vacancies which says that regular weekend work is required - but they don't want to work Sundays. As there are two vacancies, I suggested they should ask if not doing Sundays would be possible, but I doubt it.

Still, until you ask, you won't know.

Emmzi

I disagree. From an employers perspective I would like to know asap so I'd say at the start; however you are more likely to be considered if you know they want you for the role first and have had a chance to ask in detail about the nature of the work so you can out together a proposal about how the work could be covered if you did non standard hours.

bristol_pilot

If an interviewee starts talking about work/life balance, time off, flexible working, holidays, doesn't want to come in on Fridays etc - all I will hear is that the person is not work-focussed and the job will be offered to someone else. Ask not what your potential employer can do for you, ask what you can do for your potential employer.

getmore4less

Why not look for another part time job to fit round the one you have.