Flexible working hours

[macp]

I have been in my opinion a loyal employee of over 16yrs with my current employer. The last couple of years I have been suffering with stress and I finally decided to do something about it so as we don’t actually have an HR dept I went to my boss and requested flexible working hours. We are a small firm but we already offer flexible working hours to a female colleague of mine who`s job I cover when she is not in. He advised that he would have to speak with another of the directors and also as we are a wholly owned subsidiary to the group overseas.

Fast forward to a couple weeks later my boss comes up to me and says ok I have been thinking about your request and its going to be very difficult as we are so short staffed and its really going to cause us issues. He then went on to say that it was different for my colleague as she is a woman with a child and as males we are discriminated against ??

He went on to say I could either wait until he brings on another staff member which would then take the pressure off me or he could take it to our group bosses overseas but he needed my guidance. I told him I wanted him to take it to the group now as I didn’t know how long before he would be able to bring in anybody else. Leaning back in his chair he said had I sought professional help or seeing anybody intimating that he needed proof before taking it to them. He has since denied saying anything like this when he spoke to me about having a further meeting this week.

I honestly don’t want to be a PITA or Mr militant I just want a little support and if they come up with a genuine & valid business reason I will have to respect it but im wondering how to prepare for this meeting or what to do next ?

[anonymous-user]

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

You are entitled to ask for it; sorry if I have misunderstood, but flexible working or reduced working hours?

I don't see how bringing on a new member of staff supports flexible working unless you plan to reduce your hours.

[Type R Tom]

When you say flexible, what do you mean? Flexi time? Early / Late starts or finishes? Working from home?

What does your company do?

I often her stories of companies wanting to be more like Google, yet insist that everyone is sat on their seat from 9 till 5.

[UpTheIron]

Have you sought professional help?

Is this stress work related? Or is it that working less would allow you to address the cause? If the former, perhaps your employer would like to assist in you obtaining some professional help.

In terms of your rights to flexible working, I guess you have browsed this already: https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

[macp]

Trexthedinosaur said:

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

You are entitled to ask for it; sorry if I have misunderstood, but flexible working or reduced working hours?

I don't see how bringing on a new member of staff supports flexible working unless you plan to reduce your hours.

Yes sorry I guess its reduced working hours in that it should be the same hours each week rather than changeable.

[macp]

UpTheIron said:

Have you sought professional help?

Is this stress work related? Or is it that working less would allow you to address the cause? If the former, perhaps your employer would like to assist in you obtaining some professional help.

In terms of your rights to flexible working, I guess you have browsed this already: https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

I have had counselling previously and was advised I was suffering from depression.

[Type R Tom]

macp said:

Yes sorry I guess its reduced working hours in that it should be the same hours each week rather than changeable.

Are you paid hourly or just doing free overtime?

[Landlord]

macp said:

I have had counselling previously and was advised I was suffering from depression.

As I understand it, if you are diagnosed as suffering from depression then the employer has to tread very, very carefully about how they handle you/any disciplinary action. This is different to "feeling depressed". One is considered a disability and the other isn't.

ACAS would be the way forward for you in my opinion - only to understand your rights, not to use as a weapon against your employer.

[macp]

Type R Tom said:

Are you paid hourly or just doing free overtime?

Something else I dont get and open to abuse but our boss insists that we take time as we need it rather than overtime being logged ?

[macp]

Landlord said:

As I understand it, if you are diagnosed as suffering from depression then the employer has to tread very, very carefully about how they handle you/any disciplinary action. This is different to "feeling depressed". One is considered a disability and the other isn't.

ACAS would be the way forward for you in my opinion - only to understand your rights, not to use as a weapon against your employer.

Many thanks