How do you respond to a flexible working request?

Consider the flexible working request

ask for the request in writing.
consider the request fairly.
discuss it with your employee.
look at other options if the request is not possible.
make a decision based on facts and not personal opinion.
only turn down the request if there’s a valid business reason.

Do employers have to offer flexible working after maternity leave?

To request flexible working, you need to have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks (including maternity leave). But be aware that you only have the right to ask for flexible working – not the right to have it.

How long do I have to respond to a flexible working request?

What is the time limit within which an employer must respond to a request for flexible working? An employer must notify the employee of its final decision in response to a statutory flexible working request within three months of the date of the request, unless a longer period is agreed with the employee.

What happens when you return to work after maternity leave?

If you want to change your hours or duties when you return from maternity leave, you might be able to make a flexible working request. Redundancy. It’s against the law for your employer to make you redundant just because you’ve been on maternity leave or have requested flexible working to care for your child.

When to ask your employer to extend maternity leave?

This might also encourage your employer to agree if the reason that is holding them back is that they are reluctant to agree to a permanent change. This also means, if it works well for the six months and you want it to continue, your employer will have little argument against extending it.

What happens if I make a flexible working request?

ACAS have provided guidance for employers on how to handle requests in a reasonable manner and a Code of Practice on handling requests which may be useful to show to your employer, see: https://www.acas.org.uk/making-a-flexible-working-request What happens if I cannot attend the meeting?

Can a company refuse to pay for maternity leave?

Your employer can only refuse your request for one of the following business reasons: there is not enough work during the periods the employee wants to work, or Your employer must also explain why that reason applies in your circumstances.

When to request flexible work after maternity leave?

All employees are entitled to request changes to their hours of work, days or work or place of work after they have been with the company for at least 26 weeks. This is called a ‘request for flexible work’. You should make a written application and think carefully about how it would work in your role. Find out more about choosing flexible working.

Can a parent return to work after maternity leave?

Certain employees, such as parents returning to work after taking parental leave, have the right to request flexible working arrangements. Flexible working arrangements include working part-time instead of full-time and changing starting and finishing times of work or working from home.

How to reply to emails on maternity leave?

The best way to cope with all the pressure is to use auto-reply email templates. We’ve assembled a list of 10 unique out of office replies for your maternity leave.

What happens if you make a flexible working request?

If you are made redundant because you are working part-time this is likely to be indirect sex discrimination unless your employer can show that the job requires a full-time worker. Any redundancy payment is likely to be based on your part-time hours. If my employer agrees to my flexible working request will the change be permanent?