Flexible Working

Q        An employee who has a four year old son has requested to change her hours of work to fit around her childcare arrangements.  Are we obliged to accept this request?

A        You are not automatically obliged to accept the flexible working request, but under the Flexible Working Regulations you must hold a meeting with the employee, give the request due consideration, and if you reject the request you must have objective business reasons for doing so.  The employee would also have the right to appeal against your decision.

Q        My employee's wife is disabled and I know he is her primary carer.  Does he have any right to request to work flexibly in order to provide her with care?

A        Yes, the right to request flexible working covers adult carers.

Q        I've heard that the right to request flexible working will be extended to parents of children up to age 16.  Is that true?