Changed working arrangements

[Sonjia]

Im currently on AML and will be returning to work part time under a flexible working arrangement with my job. My flexible working arrangement is for a fixed period of 6 months and in the contract it states that if I dont return to full time work after this period then I may been re-positioned elsewhere in the company or have my employment terminated. Im not sure whether the termination bit means I will be made redundant or whether I get the sack. I didnt think your employer can sack you for not working full time again. Has anyone been in same boat or can share their views? thanks!

Sonjia why is the flexible working arrangement only temporary?

You have the right to request flexible working and for it to be a permanent change to your employment.

See here about flexible working. Is there a reason your job can only be done part time for 6 months?

i spoke to Hr and they have explained that my flexible arrangement can be accomodated for a 6 month trial and after that period they will need to review the arrangement. Apparently by law they are only required to offer me my old job and working terms etc. If I dont take up the offer then they will do everything they can to find an alterntive position for me within the firm. If nothing is availble then its a voluntary resignation. I feel better now that its been explained to me.

That's right they only have to offer you your old job and existing terms and conditions but if they are going to refuse a permanent flexible working arrangement they'd have to show excellent business reasons why it wouldn't work.

They can request a trial period before agreeing to the arrangement but if it works well during that time they will be on very dodgy ground if they decide not to go ahead permanently. 6 months is a very long trial period though, I'd expect it to be shorter. The whole idea of a trial period is to test the proposed arrangement and see if it works, and I can't see that it would take 6 months to do that.

Have you put in a formal request for flexible working under that legislation I linked to or is it just an informal discussion?

Yes I lodged my form and had a formal meeting with HR and manager already. It was my request for the trial to be a minimum period of 6 months with the view for continuing this arrangement if it worked. I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens when i return.

thanks for your advice Flowery :-)

No worries, and glad you were the one asking for the long trial period. The good thing is that will give you plenty of time to iron out any problems so that they couldn't possibly say at the end of that time that it isn't working!

Good luck with it