Annualised hours

[Moohound]

Hi have worked for the NHS as a theatre nurse full time for 19 years and am very happy in my job, I was wondering what my chances are of being accepted to work annualised hours as my son has significant special needs and complex emotional issues, he is on the SEND register and has an EHCP but attends main stream school. I feel he would benefit from me spending time with him during the school holidays rather than him attend child care which is stressful for him. He is 12 and this would be for about 4-6 years then I would return to normal hours.

[Peridot]

Hi Moohound,

Not my area really but thought I would put in my pennysworth having working in the NHS in my previous life.

I would have thought annualised hours would be really difficult to sort out bearing in mind cover over the 24hr period. Are you thinking more having longer summer holiday breaks to enable you to look after your son or more last minute days off, if there was a need to be there for him? Maybe monthly hours would be more palatable? Although there remains the issue of ensuring cover for theatres without the need to go to agencies or bank for example?

I suppose there is no harm in asking them to consider but I'm sure someone will jump in if that is the wrong thing to do. I think you need to get your thoughts straight on exactly what it is you are asking though rather than just 'annualised hours'

Sorry I can't be more prescriptive here, could just see the main argument for why it would not be authorised I suppose so maybe think outside the box a bit to see if there is any other plan you could propose.

[mariefab]

I wonder if a flexible working request would be appropriate here?
Although the legislation refers specifically to hours, times and locations I understand that it's quite common for such a request to be used to facilitate a change in working days e.g. by women returning from maternity leave etc.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/part/8A

If you could put together a proposal that would make you available for more hours/shifts during school terms, perhaps covering unpopular shifts like nights, then reducing the days you would work during school holidays might seem to be an acceptable offset to your employer

[Moohound]

Hi, we only do elective surgery Monday to Friday 8 am to 6pm so there are no night staff in our department

[Peridot]

Hi Moohound,

Hopefully that will put you in a better position to negotiate as mariefab has suggested. Good luck and let us know how it goes.