:( Advice on requesting a change to working pattern

foolishqueen

Hi All,

I am after some advice on my current situation and would appreciate any opinions/thoughts/perspectives. I'll try to keep it as brief as possible.

My current situation is that I work 100 miles away, doing a standard type role but in a specific technology area. I also earn a good wage. This means I'm pretty much tied to where I work as I can't afford a salary drop.

I moved several years ago to keep my family together as my partner was suffering from a mental illness, so we moved closer to her family. I knew this would mean sacrifices - I'm away 3 nights a week, so she is in effect a single parent most of the time.

Fast forward to today, and she is suffering from clinical depression and an eating disorder Work were pretty good coming up the summer break allowing me to work 1 day in the office and the rest at home (I work 35 hours in 4 days normally). As she works in a school, it was the support during term time she needed.

But we're now back to school tomorrow and things are getting worse again. I need to be at home more, but am financially trapped. Moving back isn't an option - that would just make things worse, especially for the children having to change schools again.

I am wanting to propose a medium to long term (and then hopefully permanently) solution of 2 days in the office and 2 days working from home. Giving me the time to here to support when I need to but also in the office for face time/meetings and the like.

What are peoples thoughts - is this a reasonable request? If you were a manager, would you agree to this? I'm a software developer so can pretty much do my job anywhere.

Just feel completely stuck between a rock and a hard place right now.

Cheers.

indianabones

It really does depend on two things your company's policy and how your line management. I know some managers have a bums on seat approach, but others are happy for their staff to work all week from home. What are others in your company and tower doing?

sangie595

The key to asking such things is to solve the employers problems before they have any! My immediate reaction would be that I wonder how my work is your number one priority during working hours when you have a wife and children dependant on you for so many things? And that you are asking me to commit to a variation in contract for at least the medium term with no clear explanation of what happens if this doesn't work for me? Because you are entitled to ask for flexible working, but with my employers hat on, my concern is what is in it for me - and what isn't! For me my primary concern is not that you can work anywhere, it is whether you work at all. Working from home is not about being there to care for others. If you are doing that you aren't working! Solve those "problems" and the employer is possibly going to be more sympathetic.