Is there any laws around flexible working?

slugger09

My wife has just recently had a baby, I don't drive myself so she has had to leave me to work for the ungodly hour of 7am which involves getting my other 2 kids up and now the new baby which isn't really fair,

I asked my employer could I start an hour earlier at 6am as I would be able to get a lift with a co-worker who does over time or else 2 hours later as my mrs would be out on the school run anyway and I'd still be doing my 8hrs.

But no, well I say no he just won't give me an answer so i am fed up asking,

Is their anything I can do or am I going to have to look elsewhere for work?

Vader123

You have the right to ask and have it considered but thats about it. If there is business need etc they can refuse it.

Vader

Emmzi

information on the process to follow here, it may be that formalising your reuest would help. You do have to explain how your work can be covered

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/employees/workinghoursandtimeoff/dg_10029491

welshmoneylover

slugger09 wrote: »

My wife has just recently had a baby, I don't drive myself so she has had to leave me to work for the ungodly hour of 7am which involves getting my other 2 kids up and now the new baby which isn't really fair,

I asked my employer could I start an hour earlier at 6am as I would be able to get a lift with a co-worker who does over time or else 2 hours later as my mrs would be out on the school run anyway and I'd still be doing my 8hrs.

But no, well I say no he just won't give me an answer so i am fed up asking,

Is their anything I can do or am I going to have to look elsewhere for work?

Can you learn to drive? In addition, can;t you go in for 6am, but sit around the canteen for an hour or so until your shift starts.

That way your kiddies can have some extra shut eye

slugger09

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Can you learn to drive? In addition, can;t you go in for 6am, but sit around the canteen for an hour or so until your shift starts.

That way your kiddies can have some extra shut eye

I could do but that's 5hrs unpaid a week

lucylucky

slugger09 wrote: »

I could do but that's 5hrs unpaid a week

But you wouldn't be working would you?

SarEl

I don't actually see how this is flexible working! You aren't asking for this to exercise parental duties or family responsibilities - it's actually for your own convenience. As such it does not conform to the legal requirements necessary for an employer to consider such a request, and it certainly wouldn't stand up as something you could action a refusal over.

cavework

Could you also do overtime to pay for driving lessons?

slugger09

Even if I could drive my mrs would need the car so we would be no better, off, So basically nothing I can do?

cavework

But couldn't you get a lift with your co worker?
How far do you have to travel?

Sambucus_Nigra

slugger09 wrote: »

I could do but that's 5hrs unpaid a week

But your wife and 3 kids are needlessly getting up and spending the same amount of time overall every day in getting you to work...so getting a lift and just reading a book would be better all round but you won't even contemplate this.

If it's less than 10 miles, can you bike it?