Flexible Working Hours

dpooley85

Hi all,

Got a dilemma, i work for a local company as a delivery driver and my daughter has just started school. However, two of my days i start at 9 and have to take my girl to school and have requested a later start time and they have refused.

Where do i stand to get this overturned? I have not been given a valid reason and thought parents were entitled to flexible working patterns.

I have now submitted my request in writing and hope this may help.

Any ideas which may help greatly appreciated.

dancingfairy

I think a parent has the right to ask for flexible working, not the right to have it granted. As far as I know all you can do is put your business case forward. Where can you compromise? can you do another shift that isn't popular? can you swap with a colleague? do they actually physically need you in at that time?
Unfortunately I don't think there is anything you can do if they flat out refuse. It's not your employers problem if you have problems with childcare (I appreciate this sounds horrid and uncaring).
Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.
Maybe others will have better ideas for you.
df

Takeaway_Addict

dpooley85 wrote: »

Hi all,

Got a dilemma, i work for a local company as a delivery driver and my daughter has just started school. However, two of my days i start at 9 and have to take my girl to school and have requested a later start time and they have refused.

Where do i stand to get this overturned? I have not been given a valid reason and thought parents were entitled to flexible working patterns.

I have now submitted my request in writing and hope this may help.

Any ideas which may help greatly appreciated.

1) until in writing there was no need for the employer to give a reason

2) Of course parents don't have a right to flexible working, if they did businesses wouldn't be able to operate efficiantly.

3) they have to give a valid business reason as to why they refuse it....this often isn't that hard.

Rosemary7391

Can you drop her off earlier? Do they run a breakfast club or similar?

dpooley85

Thanks for all replies so far, got a shift tomorrow so hopefully will get a response to letter i dropped in today.

Bennifred

Does your daughter have a friend whose house she could be dropped off at and go to school with on those days?

Takeaway_Addict

dpooley85 wrote: »

Thanks for all replies so far, got a shift tomorrow so hopefully will get a response to letter i dropped in today.

It's unlikely to be that quick, however a word of advice. If you have a discussion with them you need to come up with the solutions to the issues they have. You can't just expect to ask them to change without trying to help them.

Edited: If you are a delivery drive how will the deliveries you won't do be delivered with as little inconvenience to the company as possible?

HTH and start trying to pre-empt their issues with ready made answers.

notanewuser

dpooley85 wrote: »

Hi all,

Got a dilemma, i work for a local company as a delivery driver and my daughter has just started school. However, two of my days i start at 9 and have to take my girl to school and have requested a later start time and they have refused.

Where do i stand to get this overturned? I have not been given a valid reason and thought parents were entitled to flexible working patterns.

I have now submitted my request in writing and hope this may help.

Any ideas which may help greatly appreciated.

Leaving it so long to ask really wasn't clever.

bubblegumcola

The ACAS website has advice on how to ask your employer for flexible working. In your letter you need to suggest appropriate ways for your employer to cover your different hours (e.g job share) if you want to do less or a suggested new rota pattern. If it is not suitable for the needs of business then they have every right to refuse. I think you can appeal if you are turned down, there is a timescale for letters, meetings regarding it and their reply. As another poster has said it is your right to request it but not a right to get it.

Southend1

Are you a union member? Your rep may be aware of cases where similar requests have been approved by the employer, which could strengthen your case. Your rep will also be able to help you put together your argument for flexible working being approved - as mentioned above, think about the benefits for the business of granting this request.

cannyscot_2

From an employers point of view -You need to come up with the solutions to cover early deliveries beyween your original start time and when you will ge there and if possible come up with the benefits to the business? ie You are the able to do later deliveries in the evening /be more flexible on the other 3 days etc.