Flexible Working - the airline response?
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Flexible Working - the airline response?
From April 6 2003, parents with children aged under 6 or disabled children aged under 18 will have the right to request a flexible working pattern and their employers will have a duty to consider their applications seriously.
So what are my chances as an airline pilot? My wife wants to go back to work now that our daughter is at primary school. However, with my random roster pattern it just wouldn't work. However, if I only worked late shifts from Monday to Friday during term time then we could manage. I could gaurantee to drop her off at school at 0845 and my wife could gaurantee to collect at 1600 on her way back froM the hospital.
So, what happens when you legitimately put that request to an airline that operates its own 'flexible' roster? 'Flexible' of course, in the airlines interests only.
Check out:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/flexible.htm
So what are my chances as an airline pilot? My wife wants to go back to work now that our daughter is at primary school. However, with my random roster pattern it just wouldn't work. However, if I only worked late shifts from Monday to Friday during term time then we could manage. I could gaurantee to drop her off at school at 0845 and my wife could gaurantee to collect at 1600 on her way back froM the hospital.
So, what happens when you legitimately put that request to an airline that operates its own 'flexible' roster? 'Flexible' of course, in the airlines interests only.
Check out:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/flexible.htm
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 99
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From: A very long runway
We'll see but rostering is a nightmare as it is without all these 'personal requests'. Strikes me it is a liberal 'good idea' but in practice completely unworkable. Guess that you'll only see your wife in the bathroom then!!!
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>>Guess that you'll only see your wife in the bathroom then!!!
<<
Very droll.
My point is that you do actually sign yourself for a fairly restrictive lifestyle as a pilot. In my experience juggling family life with the roster is the major headache. If the law allows me to overcome that then I'll certainly take full advantage of that. The airline has no scruples about taking full advantage of me.
In practice I reckon airlines will scream blue murder rather than allow this kind of flexibility.
<<
Very droll.
My point is that you do actually sign yourself for a fairly restrictive lifestyle as a pilot. In my experience juggling family life with the roster is the major headache. If the law allows me to overcome that then I'll certainly take full advantage of that. The airline has no scruples about taking full advantage of me.
In practice I reckon airlines will scream blue murder rather than allow this kind of flexibility.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,991
Likes: 8
From: UK
I can speak from bitter experience concerning this issue!
When my wife died suddenly in 1994 I was working for a "leading charter airline" (sic) and was father to two school age children. I asked the then Ops Director of the company whether I could for an interim period work "part time". This was flatly refused on the basis that if I was allowed to do it then others would want to!. I would have been quite happy to go onto half pay but be able to work "family friendly" hours. I had no alternative but to eventually resign my position with the company.
In my opinion, most airline management have a cavalier attitude towards such matters and the only way we will see any changes is through tough legislation.
When my wife died suddenly in 1994 I was working for a "leading charter airline" (sic) and was father to two school age children. I asked the then Ops Director of the company whether I could for an interim period work "part time". This was flatly refused on the basis that if I was allowed to do it then others would want to!. I would have been quite happy to go onto half pay but be able to work "family friendly" hours. I had no alternative but to eventually resign my position with the company.
In my opinion, most airline management have a cavalier attitude towards such matters and the only way we will see any changes is through tough legislation.
