Employers who've changed mind about flexi request - any advice Flowery and other wise folk?

[bitofadramaqueen]

Someone close to me has asked for advice, but despite working in HR I'm on maternity leave with baby brain...

They had a flexible working request approved for condensed hours, so although they work full time, they work 4 days instead of 5. They are no longer in any kind of trial period, but the company have now said that the flexible working request is no longer viable because of changes in the department (i.e. 2 people now do the job instead of 4).

I'm assuming that the company need to treat this employee the same as anyone who's hours they wanted to change rather than just say the flexible working request is no longer working?

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome. It's a very substantially sized organisation with a well renowned HR department!

[ShinyPinkShoes]

If it was done on a trial period I believe they are fully within their rights to have reviewed it at the end of this period and changed their minds I'm afraid

[bitofadramaqueen]

He's been doing it for a year - trial period was over a while ago.

[flowerybeanbag]

Flexible working request agreed is a permanent change to contract so yes they need to proceed exactly as they would to change anyone's hours, sorry am rushing, hth.

[bitofadramaqueen]

No that's great, confirmed what I thought! Thanks.