Changing a single mums working hours - help!

[emc]

Hi All

My employers are currently attempting to change my working hours - I currently work 9.15-5.15 and they now want me to work various shifts of 9.30 to 6.30pm, 6.30am to 3.30pm or a 1-10pm shift over a revolving roster (I work in a TV newsroom hence it's 24 hours).

As a single parent this makes an already difficult situation as regards childcare even more tricky - anyway, after having submitted two flexible working requests trying to accomodate their requests as best I can I have my meeting regarding it all today.

Other working mums (married/with partner) have not had good results in their meetings which is not great for them but I feel, that as a single parent, my choices are even more limited than those who live with their partners - doing an early or late shift requires another adult in the house at either end of the day and on 9.30am to 6.30pm shift am stuffed too as who an earth will have my daughter till 7.3opm when I get home?

Anyway, this is all very long and complicated but I wondered if anyone out there has experienced the same and what the outcome was or if there was anyone who works in employment law who can advise. I know there have been a few cases bought by single mothers who have had their working hours changed and have won tribunals on a discrimination (against single parent) basis. Any advice gratefully received.

[Guest]

If you work in a newsroom, are you a member of the NUJ? Perhaps they could help.

Another possibility could be to get together with all the other working mothers there and have a group meeting with HR to discuss the situation in principle rather than having to fight each case individually, which always leave you feeling vulnerable and at risk of exiting one way or another.

[Chick]

Or BECTU. Contact me and I will talk you throught things.

[Damon Baird]

Ultimately it is down to the employers discretion. They have a duty of care but strongly weighed by whats "reasonably practicable" to run a business.

It depends on what your boss and the company is like. I think you'd have to consider it a negotiation rather than a request. Give them reasons that you working the way you suggest would help them as well, or at least not impact them. Whether its the experience you have or how doing the hours you need help them with workloads etc. Have a thing or two in your back pocket too and don't flat out say "I can't" but counter proposal and stress you're willing to work as closely to how they ask as you can possibly manage.

I've had to make decisions on flexible working before and it is hard to do as most people have a honest reason, but at the end of the day; it's primarily a business and you have to consider that. Try to think the other way round, as if it was your company and it will help you come up with the best solution that you can offer them. Some bosses (as I say it depends on what yours are like) aren't self rightous snakes but have to make a decision weighing everything up. It's a hard choice and there's only so much flexiblity you can offer, no matter how cold hearted and horrid you feel after.

Lastly, there have been times when an employer just changes thing to suit them. They go to court and then its found as discrimination or constructive dismissal. This tends to happen when the company were not at a loss (or would only suffer a minor loss comparatively) by accomadating the request, or there was no real justifiable requirement for change in the first place.

I have experience with flexible work etc but also have a HR dept and a designated People Manager Advisor, so my knowledge is pretty good but not legally specfic and have an expert to ask the questions to.

[emc]

Hey all,

thanks for the advice. I've now had my meeting and my company have actually been great in terms of taking into account my personal situation - my working hours have changed but not too much and they have accomodated me as much as possible so feeling very lucky to some of the others on my team...