This is a quick guide to your rights when asking for flexible work. Currently this is open to parents of children age 6 and under, and parents of disabled children aged 18 and under. From April 2009 the right will be extended to parents of all children under 16.
Once your employer receives a request to work flexibly it must arrange a meeting with you to take place within 28 days. Within 14 days of the meeting the employer must respond in writing with a decision. If the decision is to reject the request you have a right of appeal. You must appeal within 14 days of the date of the decision. You have the right to be accompanied at meetings by a work colleague.
Your employer can refuse your application on a number of specified grounds:
- Burden of additional costs
- Detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demands
- Inability to reorganise work among existing staff
- Detrimental impact on quality
- Detrimental impact on performance
- Insufficiency of work during the periods the employee proposes to work
- Planned structural changes
Deminos offer a free employment law guide. For more information on your rights, check out Family Friendly Working and Working Families.
