For Working Mama's- Your Opinion About Set Working Hours

The fact that he gives NO notice is unprofessional. EVERY office I've worked in has given atleast a few hrs notice, not mere minutes.

He knows that you have a flexible schedule, so it's his responsiblilty as your boss to remember that. If he has a critical meeting that he needs you to be a part of, then it's on him to arrange it around your schedule.

In any other scenario, I would say no, it's not OK. But given that this was the understanding you had as you went into the job, that's a different story.

Miss things as you need to. Or provide your boss with a schedule for the week, so he knows, in writing when you need to leave each day.

I think that the responsibility lies with your boss. If he is the one who is okaying the flex time, then he should be able to verify your schedule/check the calendar.

If he's not the one who's okaying the flex time (or if he's one of those people who likes to manipulate/play games), this could be intentional and he could be trying to mess with you.

If this is an ongoing problem (and it sounds like it is), I would suggest sitting down with him (if he's the okaying the flex time) and telling him that you appreciate the flex time, but that you're concerned because of the scheduling of the meetings (both their last minute nature and the fact that you are often not able to attend or have to leave in the middle, which is disruptive to the meeting). If he's reasonable, ask him if he can schedule them a bit more in advance, even just a couple of hours or a day in advance. And if he's weird about it, ask him flat out if the flex schedule is causing a problem (be prepared to renegotiate if you're willing to).

If he's not setting the schedule, go and talk to the person who approved your flex time. See what they think is going on, and let them know that this is an issue. Be prepared for some fallout if you have to call your supervisor's bluff, but you could ask the flex time approver to sit down with you and the approver and your boss and try to work through the issue (maybe talk to HR about it?).

I do sincerely hope that it's just poor planning on his part, and not him playing games.

I, like you, have a wonderfully flexible work environment. Also, like you, my schedule varies from day to day.
When my boss was a little fuzzy on my hours I did a few things.
1. printed up a weekly schedule of my hours and put it on my door.
2. Shared the same hours with my boss
3. I put the hours on my shared outlook calendar
I told my boss I understood how confusing it is with my hours and emphasized how much I appreciate it and wanted her to not feel like she had to memorize my schedule, so here it is in printed form.
Also, I think it is fair, since your boss agreed to a work schedule for you, that if it becomes habitual to have these last minute meetings that you sit down and talk to him about it. Not as a point of inconvenience, but the fact it calls attention to the special schedule that the company has worked out whit you and you do not want to be percieved as getting "preferential" treatment by your peers, etc.
It does sound like a lack of planning on his/her part if not a true emergency.
Good Luck!

Well first let me say meetings should be scheduled based on the work schedule of those attending unlessing it is something special and is planned in advance to allow arrangements to be made (like yearly safety training etc). When I worked in HR and had to coordinate many people to attend a meeting, I had to check availability on their schedules before scheduling and would think that is standard. It appears that it is not.

If your boss is ok w/ your rotating/varying schedule you should be able to speak to him about last minute meetings. Ask him (when there isn't one pending) how he expects you to handle last minute meetings or those scheduled outside your schedule w/ little notice. Does he expect you to miss it, attend, or attend some if possible. Knowing his expectations should help you. Could he be scheduling those meetings as he does in an attempt to send you the message that "I need you hear during our normal business hours?"...just a thought.

I think if you want to keep changing your hours you need to accept that you will miss things and perhaps be looked at as less than committed to your job. Why should your boss schedule a meeting for everyone around one person's needs?

I don't get it though. Why do your hours need to change to meet your daycare needs? Isn't the daycare open every day for the same amount of time?

Can you listen in by phone? With a headset so you hands are not encumbered wile driving?

He allowed you to have the flexable hours, so he must like you. I would go to him and just flat out tell him that you feel horrible when he calls last minute meetings and you can't attend because you have to leave. This will look good. Also, you could give him a copy of your hours for each day. Laminate them if you want. This way he can throw your copy in his desk drawer and he will always know when you should be there. I'm sure he's a busy guy and your probably not on his mind when he calls a meeting. However, if he knows that he has your hours maybe he will be more aware and check it. Whatever you do, make sure you express how thankful you are that he works around your daycare schedule and you just want to make things easier for him.

I would suggest sitting down with your manager and explaining your concerns regarding the last minute meetings and how you feel it is impacting your ability to do your job (or how it is impacting what others feel re: your performance). There are probably instances where he has little/no control over the need to call a last minute meeting, but maybe you could arrange to participate via cellphone during your commute.

that's a tough questions. My first thought is, should he arrange a meeting around your personal schedule? Also, you told him in advance what you needed so that you can get or drop off your child from daycare. He agreed to the terms. As long as he does not penalize you for it I would not worry about it. I need my job but my first prority is my kids.
Does he call the meetings at the last minute or send an notication of meeting e-mail a day in advance? If so, then maybe you can send him and reminder e-mail, that says I'm not going to be available or I'll be leaving early. We usually get notices of meetings about 2 days prior and If I had already requested time off or said that I was leaving early I don't expect my boss to change it.

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He remembers he gave you permission, probably just not the hours.. Just speak with him and ask him about your concerns. DO give him your schedule as suggested.

Let him know you want to be at the meetings, but it is just not possible unless you have 24 hours.. or how ever many hours you need.

In some businesses this is just the way it operates and people are aware that their schedules change all of the time..They have an agreement as to whether they are able or unable to stay..

My husband has always worked at places that you may never know when you will be called in, or will not know when you will be home..
TV Stations and now Police Dept..

I bet you are considered a valuable employee, so it is not a problem for them.

If they have accepted and approved your hours then they should include you in meetings by working with in your schedule. You are lucky that they let you adjust your hours for your kids/daycare schedule but if they expect you to be a good worker then you need to be in the loop. When I worked outside the home I took my lunch and breaks early or together to pick my daughter up from school and take her to daycare. It was nice that they allowed me to do it but on the other hand they changed work hours because they moved locations and extended hours from 8:30 am -5:30pm to 8am - 9pm . They always scheduled meetings that were mandatory on my day off always every month. Anyway I think they should schedule the meetings when you are there. The new girl that went to college got to pick and choose her hours and I had been there 3+ years which wasn't fair.

If he made adjustments to your hours so you can fit in daycare, then you have to be willing to miss some meetings. You can't ask him to adjust the meeting or be aware of your schedule every time. Business goes on and I do believe they might be keeping check.

In order to not make your weird hours be so obvious each time you are late or missing, I would make an adjustment to daycare. I work abnormal hours as well and when there is an earlier normal business meeting, I have to adjust daycare settings for the "must be there" meetings..

I would make it really simple...and give yourself extra time. instead of saying "Mon, Wed friday I will work til 5, and tuesday and thurs, I can work til 3" just let him know tha tyou are unavailable after 3 every day... Its easier for your boss if you keep it consistant. and if you are there after 3, great, but anyone who plans afternoon meetings (especially last min ones) is not an efficient way to work. maybe if he has a daily recap meeting for everyone in the office, it will be easier for all of you to work around that 1 meeting vs the hit and miss last min emergency meeting. If that is not reasonable then I say its ok for you to miss those last min meetings or leave early.