Interpretations of FW rejection reasons

[Blankiefan]

I applied for FW last year. Part of my application was to work from home 2 days per week and this was rejected due to a detrimental impact of quality and performance. They allowed me 1 day per week which I've done over the year without issue. At the time they said that quality and performance would be impacted as they valued informal interactions and 121 contact.

Generally, I think this is bobbins. They just don't trust people and don't like FW. They want bums on seats.

So, a year later and I can apply again. I had an informal chat with my boss who says that the mood music hasn't changed. Is a generic view on preferred company culture like this a valid interpretation of the rejection reasons - detrimental impact on quality and performance? Is it entirely subjective? Anything could fall in here. Is there any I can use to strengthen my argument? Is there any point applying?

Can you prove your quality and performance is fine at home?

My boss agrees that there have been no problems this year with my current way if working.

They're not trying to say Its a personal thing - its that generically they dont want to become a remote working culture. This feels like an unfair interpretation of detrimental impact on quality / performance.

It's my understanding that FW should be viewed on an individual case basis. By approving you (because you can work and it's not detrimental to work load) this does not mean that another FW application by a colleague would need to be improved (if they were a CF for instance). I would call ACAS and ask how they would word this.

Approved not improved

Why don't you suggest doing it for a short trial period, say 3 months. You can say that as soon as there is a detrimental impact on service delivery or whatever, they can revoke, even if not at the end of the period.

They are meant to agree unless there is a reason not to. Just having a blanket reason why without specifically explaining why isn't the way it is meant to work. Realistically though, there isn't much you can except vote with your feet.
What's the reason you want to work at home? Is it health /disability related?

They can't just give one of the eight allowable reasons for refusal, they have to explain how/why that reason is applicable in your case.

Any blanket rules about flexible working such as not allowing homeworking may be indirectly discriminatory, but otherwise it's difficult to force an employer to accept a request, as long as they follow the correct procedure in considering it.

@flowery Can they take a blanket approach of "this Is the culture we want" and seek to minimise working from home rather than specifically saying "Blankie - I'm concerned that you can't achieve x or y from home"?