flexible working request

dtc04

I am due to return to work after maternity leave in January. On the 15/10 I had a flexible working meeting, this then went to HR for a decision.

HR should of contacted me within 14 days with either a decision or asking for an extension, I would then have 14 days to appeal. HR haven't contacted me. I have rang them twice the first time they said the letter was on the way and the second they said there was nothing on my file and they would look in to it.

What should I do? I am starting to get a bit stressed because I need to organise my hours with my childminder and obviously if I am turned down I will need to appeal. Appealing would take time and time is starting to run out! Will I have lost my right to appeal the decision because it has been more than 28 days since the meeting even though it is HR who haven't contacted me?

Thanks

vicshippers

You won't lose your right to appeal because of their failure, I would try writing to them (sending it recorded post) advising that they should have replied within 14days, you need a response as soon as possible and their failure to respond is causing you undue stress. You have my sympathy - it must be awful to have to leave everything to the last minute like this.

On a side note however, do you have any reason to believe that they will refuse your flexible working suggestions? In my experience these are only refused where there is a genuine business reason for doing so and therefore appeals generally don't get very far. While an employer has to consider flexible working, they are by no means obligated to agree to them.

I hope it all gets sorted for you and you get a reply soon!

Bobl

Tell them you will assume your 14 days appeal time will start from the date you receive their letter.

In my experience, Flexible working when returning from maternity leave is never given, it would open the floodgates. It is more usual to agree to reduce hours and therefore pay.

Good luck

knithappens

you have my sympathy, i am going through this at the momemt and work are dragging their heels

dtc04

The only reason Im thinking about appeal is that some one who returned to work when I went on maternity leave did have her request turned down, it was agreed to when she appealed though.

I will try writing to them, thank you!

vicshippers

Bobl wrote: »

In my experience, Flexible working when returning from maternity leave is never given, it would open the floodgates. It is more usual to agree to reduce hours and therefore pay.

It depends on the role and the employment circumstance - in an office that is only open 9-5, obviously a request for a full time worker to change hours is pretty impossible. As long as the employee can still complete their tasks without inconveniencing other employees and maintaining the same performance levels, then really I can't see the issue.

dtc04

the post has just arrived with a letter from HR saying that my proposed hours have almost been accepted they have just changed the half day from Thursday to Monday.

Im really happy that its sorted now!

vicshippers

Glad it's all sorted for you!

Bobl

Excellent news, you obviously have a good employer.

Willsnarf1983

Bobl wrote: »

Excellent news, you obviously have a good employer.

Would it make them a bad employer if they said no due to business reasons?

Will

vicshippers

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

Would it make them a bad employer if they said no due to business reasons?

Will

A great point that isn't considered enough Will - flexible working has to work for the employer as well as the employee.