Employers need to be aware and start putting procedures into place for the new Flexible Work legislation, which becomes law in April 2003. Employers will have to follow a new statutory procedure for dealing with requests for flexible working from parents of children under the age of 6 or disabled children under 18. The new procedure is,
An employee can make one request a year. If accepted by the employer, it will mean a permanent change to the contract of employment.
Employers must arrange a meeting to discuss the request with the within 28 days. At the meeting, the employee may be accompanies by a companion.
Employer must write to the employee within 14 days of the meeting to either agree to the new work pattern together with a start date, or decline the request. If declined, then the employer must provide clear business grounds for doing so. The employee has 14 days to appeal their employer�s decision. (internal appeal)
Dissatisfied employees can take their case to an Employment Tribunal, where the employer will have to demonstrate they have followed the procedure correctly.