Flexible working dilemma - help!!

[pregatlast]

Sorry, this is long, but I'm torn as to what to do.

I work a 4 day compressed week, tues to fri. Before returning to work after dd2, I requested to drop down to 3 days, with a Friday off. My manager declined my request as it didn't allow my small team to meet the needs of our customer base. I felt this was a silly reason as the 'customers' we have are internal to our company and the work we do is related to 5 year business plans. After speaking to HR I appealed against his decision, stating about 8 very valid reasons as to why it wouldn't impact the team or customers if I worked a 3 day week.

My manager should have arranged a meeting with me within 14 days to discuss my appeal and he didn't. After I chased them up, I got an email reply stating basically as discussed it doesn't suit the business!! I was livid as I suspected my appeal hadn't been read and definitely hadn't been discussed with me so I contacted my union for advice.

They said to insist on an appeals meeting and request a different appeals manager, which I did. My manager is trying to set one up but is dragging his heels a little.

Out of the blue this week, he took me aside and said he could let me do a 3 day week if I could do wed-fri and not tues-thurs as I asked for as he was really struggling on Fridays as someone else in my team is off that day and everyone else finishes early. This was totally unexpected and I don't know why it was never mentioned before. I'm delighted, however my reason for specifically requesting a Friday is that my sister is off that day and I want to spend Fridays with her and my nephew. (There is no way she can change her day off).

So, what on earth do I do?! My options are;
1. Continue with the appeals process to see if I can get a Friday off knowing full well that if I get it, my team will be understaffed which may put extra pressure on my colleagues and may cause tension/bad feeling between my boss and I or put a black mark against my name which might hinder my career progression????, but would mean I got the time I want with my sister and nephew.

2. Drop the appeal, accept the wed-fri week to keep peace and harmony in my team and with my boss, but not get to spend the time with my sister?!


I have noooooooo idea what to do!!! Help!!!!!

 

[Rainbow82]

If Friday really will leave your team understaffed it probably won't be granted at the appeal so I would take the arrangement offered, it is a reasonable offered that meets the needs of the business and your needs. If you want the Friday off and it granted at appeal you will need a better reason for it than spending time with your sister such as childcare issues ie you can only affird three days childcare and nursery only has spaced tues, wed and Thursday.

 

[ArcaneSpark]

Could you come to a local arrangement where 1 week a month you go fri off instead of tue? Or something? X

 

[star1]

I agree with what Rainbow said - if you not working Fridays would leave the team understaffed then this would be an adequate reason to reject your appeal, and not one that you can fight back against (although where I work even if you said that childcare wasn't available on Fridays that wouldn't hold up, as you would be expected to find alternative arrangements). Can you have a word with the other person who doesn't work on Fridays to see if they would be willing to switch days? Otherwise you will have to take the Tues - thurs option I'm afraid

 

[bump2be]

Be grateful that they have given you the 3 day week! I would take the weds-fri personally.