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Can I take this further re: requesting flexible working hours?

2 replies

ZolaPowered · 09/01/2012 09:38

I originally wanted to go back to work 3 days a week but my work want me to do 4 days. I met them last week and put forward a compressed 3.5 day week that would mean I work 28 hours in total - just over 3.5 days instead of 4. They would still like me to do 4 full days. Does anyone with HR experience know if I would have a good cause to take this further and give me some advice on how to handle this?

My role does not require me to be on the phone at certain times and the majority of my work is done independently so I don't think the half day out of the office should a problem if I am working the hours elsewhere in the week.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
PostBellumBugsy · 09/01/2012 09:48

This is from our HR policy at work. If you look at the bottom you will see the grounds for refusing a request. If you can ensure that your proposal refutes those grounds (obviously in a positive way), then that would be a good start.

"The right (to request flexible working) places a legal duty on employers to consider all applications and establish whether the desired work pattern can be accommodated within the needs of the business.
The legislation requires the employer to arrange a meeting with the employee within 28 days after a properly completed application has been received. The meeting provides the opportunity todiscuss the desired work pattern in depth and an opportunity to see if alternative working arrangements may be appropriate.
The right allows an employee to be accompanied at the meeting by a colleague who also works for the same organisation. This colleague may address the meeting and confer with the employee but may not
answer questions for the employee.

Employers must inform the employee of their decision in writing within 14 days of the date of the
meeting.
If a request is accepted, the notification must:
? include a description of the new working pattern
? state the date from which the new working pattern is to take effect
? be dated.
If a request is rejected, the notification must:
? state the business grounds for refusing the application
? provide a sufficient explanation as to why the business grounds for refusal apply in the
circumstances
? provide details of the employee?s right to appeal
? be dated.

Business grounds for refusing a request are:
? burden of additional costs
? detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
? inability to reorganise work among existing staff
? inability to recruit additional staff
? detrimental impact on quality
? detrimental impact on performance
? insufficiency of work during the periods the employee proposes to work
? planned structural changes."

Rowbot · 09/01/2012 14:56

It's worth checking out the maternityaction.org.uk website for advice, they also have a helpline.

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