Flexible and Part-Time Working policy

This policy is included in the Employee Handbook.

This policy outlines new statutory working parent entitlements and provides a framework for managing flexible working requests, work arrangements and appeals (including requests for part-time working).

The policy provides employers with the flexibility to offer new working arrangements on an initial trial basis (and even revert back to previous working arrangements if the flexible or part time working arrangements do not work out for either the company or the employee).

This policy helps employees and line managers understand:

Statutory rights:

What constitutes flexible and part time working.
Who (and who doesn't) have a legal right to request flexible work arrangements.
Working parent statutory rights and entitlements.
Rights when returning from maternity leave.

Requests and appeals:

Exercising a legal right to request flexible or part-time working.
How the company will respond to a request.
Grounds for refusing a request.
Flexible working appeals.

Process:

Making a request and employer response.
Investigations, meetings, witnesses and supporting evidence.
Trial periods, job share and working different hours.
How pay, benefits and conditions of employment will be affected.

Legal Update:

April 2009: employees with parental responsibility for a child under 16 years of age have a legal right to request flexible working.

(To read more about our Employee Handbook click here)