Employment & Childcare

BusinessWoman

Hey guys, not sure if you can help me here, I work 21 hours a week and was working fixed day due to uni arrangements. My son was going to nursery 3 days a week and all was good.

Now my boss has decided to switch my days every week meaning the only way to guarantee I have Childcare for my child is to put him in nursery everyday because I have no family or partner supporting.

Ths is of course becoming expensive, I cannot go to a childminder, my sister was sexually abused by one 8 years ago and since then I cannot trust a child minder.

I explained to my boss the situation and he said well that's tough luck really as we never had a written agreement that I would do here set days a week. So as soon as h said that, I started job hunting but its proving really difficult to find a part time job these days.

I can't go back to work full time because I'm building up a company on the side so I need time to work on that as I was hopin to leave work altogether as soon as that picks up.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and have any advice to offer?

LL30

I can relate to your post, but I don't have an answer I'm afraid! I was made redundant last year, and had been working 16 hours over 2 set days (the only days I could get my lo in nursery) so then I had the task to find a job on those 2 days...not easy! I also run a business of my own too I got offered a few positions and actually took a zero hour contract which has worked out really well for me, although I can appreciate why other people are worried by them. I take hours on the days I have childcare

Are you getting help with childcare costs at all? Not sure about the legal stance on flexible working - sure someone will be able to help you out though x

BusinessWoman

I get child tax credits now but because of the extra two days I have to top up an extra £100 a month which is hard as it is on a part time salary! The financial stress is just bugging me and I do not want to be without a job so refuse to quit before I find another but now tax credits are asking me to prove my tax credits are actually that amount (like I'm lying). It really annoys me

Emmzi

have you put in a formal flexible working request under the legislation?

LL30

I know, I hate the system too, but at the same time, I really appreciate the help I get. I've got a 3 year plan running at the moment and praying that I pull it off. If I manage it, it should see us benefit free, which would be wonderful. Sorry I don't have anything constructive in terms of advice!

BusinessWoman

Emmzi wrote: »

have you put in a formal flexible working request under the legislation?

No, before my contract was agreed, I specifically requested 3 specific days and he said okay. My contract just says I'm contracted to work 21 hours per week and doesn't speculate how and when to work them which is why I requested these days from my manager before signing the contract

SarEl

BusinessWoman wrote: »

No, before my contract was agreed, I specifically requested 3 specific days and he said okay. My contract just says I'm contracted to work 21 hours per week and doesn't speculate how and when to work them which is why I requested these days from my manager before signing the contract

Oops - error of judgement there. I trust the lesson "never trust your employer unless it is in writing" has hit home?

How long have you worked these specific three days? And can you please explain the comment in your first post that says that you were working fixed days due to a "uni arrangement"?

Emmzi

Then you now need to put in a formal request for flexible working with set days, and demonstrate how the work can be covered in that way.

an9i77

But there's nothing to stop them refusing the flexible working case! They only have to argue business need. In HR we have a saying - if it's not in writing, it didn't happen. OP sounds like you are down on your luck on this one, unless you have been doing the set days for a looong period of time and can therefore argue it's an implied term, (unlikely but not impossible) then contractually you are not in a stong position here, so not sure what your employer is obliged to do if you don't like the new arrangement.

BusinessWoman

SarEl wrote: »

Oops - error of judgement there. I trust the lesson "never trust your employer unless it is in writing" has hit home?

How long have you worked these specific three days? And can you please explain the comment in your first post that says that you were working fixed days due to a "uni arrangement"?

Yes it has indeed. I have been with the employer for five years and have been doing this arrangement for 10 months. I go to uni Monday eve and Wednesday eve so as my boss disliked me taking half days, he agreed for me to have those days off so I don't have to leave work early to get to uni on time

Emmzi

an9i77 wrote: »

But there's nothing to stop them refusing the flexible working case! They only have to argue business need. In HR we have a saying - if it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

I work in HR and that's not a saying I ever use. There are all kinds of HR people and departments. I have never presumed to speak for the community.

OP, give it a go, if it worked ok for 10 months and nothing has changed, business need may be difficult for him to argue. I am not sure you have much to lose. He cannot (legally) sack you simply for asking in the correct way.