FAMILY FRIENDLY DUTIES

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I know I will get some grief for this but Why FF duties only if you have children ?

Actually I agree - I have parents both in their later years and both getting infirm - yet when I asked if I needed to get FF at some time in the future I was told unlikely and that I would have to have assessments and doctors reports made. Forgive me but why should my parents pride and sense of self worth be diminished just so that I "might" be able to get FF hours or duty.

[darth]

http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/flexible.pdf

This covers the right for employees to request flexible working hours which is for parents and carers.this legislation is not set in stone but as more and more workplaces want productivity and flexibility from their workforce,it can and does work. it is after all a two way street.

i have found it particulary hard as working in a delivery office you can differ as much as 90 minutes on getting out on delivery with the delivery varying as much as an hour on busy days.i am prepared to come in early (flexibility but cannot work over as my wife has to start work at two).both my children are under the age of 6.

a few years ago when we went out on delivery earlier i would have had no trouble as there was still scope to finish on time but as we get out later that has been knocked that on the head.

all im asking for is common sense for a few years until the children are at school,as the wife can then adjust her work around school hours.im certain that there is a satisfactory way ahead which will benefit royal mail and myself.

as it is i think that i might have to fight for it.

[dvbuk55]

There is a definite slant on FF duties for children. There is the possibility that as you get older your partner may need help because they too are getting older.
I have just finished a month in the bathroom tiling, boxing in pipes, lowering the ceiling, installing a towel rail, linen cupboard etc and my hands have been crippling me and so I know that I am getting older and less dexterous.

There seems to be an attitude with the younger generation that they are owed a living by their employer and all circumstances should be taken in to account. I was 29 before I had a day off sick, nowadays there seems to be a cult of sickness absence as part of the holiday entitlement.

[apple]

seems a good idea to have family friendly but as always it is how the manager implements it, in our office has let one member of staff have an extra afternoon off each week this is been covered on overtime, when one of the women had to have time off and she couldn't do her collection she had to pay for someone to cover her, this guy has a 40hr contract and is having a day and a half off each week and it's coming out of our pot!
not that amazing as it is a office where if you have the right face you can do what you want

[steviemac]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10029491

This is a government initiative not an RM one and effort has to be made to accomodate employees. The idea is based on completing your agreed hours and agreed job description but not necessarily in a traditional format of 9-5. for example a friend of mine works a 42 hour week but completes her duties over 4 longer days rather than 5 typical. This allows her a long weekend to deal with family and private issues.
Not every occupation allows such flexibility ie prison staff, emergency services, armed forces etc but these employers are expected to accommodate if reasonable.
As it's always been , your employer needs to see job done and value for money and if this occurrs then employer will not worry. How a person does 42 hours in an office admin environment is easier than ours.