Custom & practice? Advice

ZABIG

Hi, in my job there is something called ‘family friendly’ in which staff can apply to have certain things such as fixed days off etc.

We work Monday-Saturday and have one day off during that.

One year ago, I was told I could have a fixed day off every week as it helped me greatly with childcare.

Recently, I’ve been told not to assume I can have that day off anymore.

Although I’ve had that same day off for a year now, no official paperwork for ‘family friendly’ was ever submitted.

What do? Anything?

Thanks.

Diamandis

The best thing would be to officially apply for flexible working. You can find details of how to do this here https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/applying-for-flexible-working

Comms69

An employer can change their policy to meet business needs.

Undervalued

ZABIG wrote: »

Hi, in my job there is something called ‘family friendly’ in which staff can apply to have certain things such as fixed days off etc.

We work Monday-Saturday and have one day off during that.

One year ago, I was told I could have a fixed day off every week as it helped me greatly with childcare.

Recently, I’ve been told not to assume I can have that day off anymore.

Although I’ve had that same day off for a year now, no official paperwork for ‘family friendly’ was ever submitted.

What do? Anything?

Thanks.

"Can apply to" are the operative words. That is not the same as "insist on"!

Clearly the firm couldn't operate if all of the staff demanded the same day off so the employer has to have some discretion.

The same would be true if you formally applied for "flexible working". The firm must consider such requests (but only once a year) but it is fairly easy for them to lawfully refuse a request on business grounds.

Dox

Your title is 'custom and practice'. If you are asking if an informal arrangement lasting about a year would meet that definition, the answer is, I'm afraid, a resounding 'no'.

Ja7188

Being told 'not to assume' sounds pretty vague to me - I'd look to clarify what this actually means.

Does it mean that you might have to change your day off occasionally, or perhaps that your hours won't be set until the rota for the week in question goes up, or that your day off could be different each week?

The answer to the above could clearly impact how much of an issue this is so I'd be inclined to ask for some further detail via informal channels (i.e. speak to your manager).

ZABIG

Thanks for replies everyone


It went like this

Transferred from different office to new office

Manager said ‘I’ll honour your same day off Thursday every week’

And I proceeded to have every Thursday off for a year until being told ‘don’t assume you’ll have every Thursday off from now’

getmore4less

What making that comment does is break any C&P chain.

How far back does the previous arrangement go?

Problem is they can still change it even if you get a C&P just takes a little longer if they do it properly.

ZABIG

Previous arrangement was about 6 months.
Child is year and half old so it all started then really. Makes sorting childcare very easy. To have a different day off weekly would be a nightmare. So it’s been perfect, until worrying about now...

Fireflyaway

Sounds as though someone ( line manager of HR ) was trying to be helpful but the arrangement was never made contractual.
I agree with submitting a formal request for flexible working stating that you want every Thursday off. They don't have to agree but if they do then you will have peace of mind.

getmore4less

ZABIG wrote: »

Previous arrangement was about 6 months.
Child is year and half old so it all started then really. Makes sorting childcare very easy. To have a different day off weekly would be a nightmare. So it’s been perfect, until worrying about now...

Clarify what changes they are considering.

Might be the day has to change with some notice but will be consistent for a number of weeks.

Might be they want full flexibility.

Find out.