Forced lunchbreak?

shell820810

Jarndyce wrote: »

If they say it isn't an option then it isn't an option - they can agree or not agree whatever terms they wish. However, if you were to submit a formal request for a flexible working arrahgement they would have to give you written reasons why they could not agree it, against which you could appeal etc.

Thanks, I will have to submit a formal request, so its interesting that they have to give reasons against it.

VfM4meplse

It would be a good idea to look at this from the needs of the service rather than your own convenience. Consider yourself lucky to be in employment.

bap98189

shell820810 wrote: »

Thanks, I will have to submit a formal request, so its interesting that they have to give reasons against it.

Don't think you are going to back them into a corner trying to make them justify the decision if it goes against you. They can just refuse any flexible working request for "business reasons". Their explanation can be as vague as that.

mildred1978

shell820810 wrote: »

Thanks, I will have to submit a formal request, so its interesting that they have to give reasons against it.

Could it be that this is so far ahead of time they don't want to be drawn on it now?

Baby isn't here yet, and you might take 14 months off!!

Jarndyce

shell820810 wrote: »

Thanks, I will have to submit a formal request, so its interesting that they have to give reasons against it.

Don't hold your breath - they only have to say that their refusal is for one of the following reasons:

• planned structural changes
• the burden of additional costs
• a detrimental impact on quality
• the inability to recruit additional staff
• a detrimental impact on performance
• the inability to reorganise work among existing staff
• a detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
• lack of work during the periods the employee proposes to work

But assuming your firm is of a reaosnable size, they will at least have to give it serious thought.

mildred1978

Can you even make a formal request before baby arrives?

Jarndyce

mildred1978 wrote: »

Can you even make a formal request before baby arrives?

The right to request only applies to paremts and certain carers. So if this is the OP's first child then the request would need to be made prior to returning from maternity leave after the baby is born.

VfM4meplse

Jarndyce wrote: »

The right to request only applies to paremts and certain carers.

I think this right has been extended to everyone, which makes life a lot fairer.

shell820810

VfM4meplse wrote: »

It would be a good idea to look at this from the needs of the service rather than your own convenience. Consider yourself lucky to be in employment.

:mad:
So it is unreasonable to be expect to be paid for the hours I work. Comments like that are not useful. I am only trying to figure out where I stand and what my options are when I return to work.

shell820810

And just to be clear, I havent asked them anything yet about flexible working when I return, I am basing my information on what a colleague has been allowed to do (works 28 hours in 3 days, but has to take 1 hour in the middle of the day unpaid, and then any extra for work that cannot be completed in the 28 hours), all because she cannot afford to pay any more than 3 days childcare, but cannot afford to work any less than 4 days.