Part time driving

[BTU]

Does anyone know wether your TOC has to by law offer part time working ? Or is it just down to their disgrection ? . Just for the record I'm a driver .

 

[Lincoln]

I would doubt any TOC has to offer it by law; in much the same vein as any other employer. However that said, they do have to under employment law is give due consideration to any employee who makes a request to work part time for any variety of personal reasons.

That consideration has to be given is by no means a guarantee that they then need to allow the change.

That said their man power plan may have something of this nature within the franchise agreement, much like how the new Northern franchise will not be allowed to have any zero hour contracts.

It might be worth chatting to a union rep as they might be able to find from the unions which companies are more accommodating than others.

 

[The Ham]

There are circumstances where flexible working request have to be considered, although it is the responsibility of the employee to try and explain why it would be in the companies interest to do so.

IIRC parents and grandparents can request it.

I'd you are willing to work on turns which are difficult to fill and offer that, then you may stand a better chance than if you only want to work at times when everyone else wants to work.

My wife's old company allowed her to work outside if what had been her normal hours because it saves them from having to pay call out rates for certain tasks but because it was outside their core hours they could still charge their clients for an out if hours service.

As had been suggested talk to a union rep as they will know the rules and your likely chances.

 

[route:oxford]

That said their man power plan may have something of this nature within the franchise agreement, much like how the new Northern franchise will not be allowed to have any zero hour contracts.

Banning zero hour contracts isn't ideal. It hurts every *employee* who has an employer who uses them properly. The primary driver for ZHCs amongst many employers is maintaining an on-going contract for people who need DBS/CRB checks for their time-to-time role and saves hours of effort (on both parts).

The alternative is 12-hour contract, I have one of these for a "bank" job. I'm guaranteed 1 hours pay per month for being on their ad-hoc list. Can go 6 months without being called on.

 

[DarloRich]

I would doubt any TOC has to offer it by law; in much the same vein as any other employer. However that said, they do have to under employment law is give due consideration to any employee who makes a request to work part time for any variety of personal reasons.

That consideration has to be given is by no means a guarantee that they then need to allow the change.

There are circumstances where flexible working request have to be considered, although it is the responsibility of the employee to try and explain why it would be in the companies interest to do so.

IIRC parents and grandparents can request it.

Anyone, as long as you have more than 26 weeks service, may make one flexible working request within a 12 month period. Your employer must consider it and provide a sound business reason for rejecting any request

ACAS offer a helpful guide via their website: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1616

I would speak to your union rep and/or HR and ask for their support although I will leave the practicalities to those involved directly in the driving grade

 

[HarleyDavidson]

If you're having family difficulties such as serious illness of a child, spouse or parent, then you can approach your line/depot manager to be accommodated, so you have constant shifts, either late or early.

Our depot currently has 3 drivers on accommodation, myself included. And I can't thank my manager enough for all of the help and support he's given me, my accommodation will expire next month, hopefully it will be extended due to the nature of the family illness, as it's going to cause issues if they don't.

 

[furnessvale]

Does anyone know wether your TOC has to by law offer part time working ? Or is it just down to their disgrection ? . Just for the record I'm a driver .

Bring FOCs into the equation and I believe Colas have used part timers in the past.

Don't know if they still do.

 

[BTU]

Thanks for all your advise my motives for part time work a purely because I want to spend more time at home with my family I dont have any illness in my family although I do have a child with special needs that needs picking up and dropping off a lot but she is by no means totally dependant on us , I am in a lucky position that I dont need a big pay packet every month to survive I just want a better work / home life environment , I do like my job but its not my entire purpose in life,I probably stand no chance of getting PT work but Ill ask the question anyway and see where it leads.Thanks to all of you who replied.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

Thanks for all your advise my motives for part time work a purely because I want to spend more time at home with my family I dont have any illness in my family although I do have a child with special needs that needs picking up and dropping off a lot but she is by no means totally dependant on us , I am in a lucky position that I dont need a big pay packet every month to survive I just want a better work / home life environment , I do like my job but its not my entire purpose in life,I probably stand no chance of getting PT work but Ill ask the question anyway and see where it leads.Thanks to all of you who replied.

would your child;s special needs be counted as disability under the Equality Act ?

if so it makes your case stronger .

 

[Rocket]

Does your company do job share.

They sort out what days they want to work and give it to the roster clerk.

We also have a accommodation link for drivers, but that is a 35 hr week which your not after.

 

[DarloRich]

you don't need to have any reason to ask for flexible working although particular personal circumstances, as suggested, will help make the application better. This is especially the case if the Equality Act or other applies.

Speak to your rep ASAP. You should have an equality rep somewhere within the union who can offer expert advice on such things.

 

[TDK]

Thanks for all your advise my motives for part time work a purely because I want to spend more time at home with my family I dont have any illness in my family although I do have a child with special needs that needs picking up and dropping off a lot but she is by no means totally dependant on us , I am in a lucky position that I dont need a big pay packet every month to survive I just want a better work / home life environment , I do like my job but its not my entire purpose in life,I probably stand no chance of getting PT work but Ill ask the question anyway and see where it leads.Thanks to all of you who replied.

One thing you need to consider is your pension when opting for job share or part time. If go along this road consult the RPMI to get a pension updated statement of what you pension will be worth. Are you considering this as a permanent change or a temporary one? You could as mentioned above ask to be accommodated but to be fair the reason to see more of your family is not a strong case as every shift worker would like that, however if by doing your current shifts it affects your quality of life due to a situation such as childcare or a child with special needs, caring for a close relative such as wife or parent that could be impacted by your current shifts or for any reason that will be considered then you can get accommodated.

The best and most common part time working is job share but you will need someone to share with and this will be down to you and your LDC to arrange.