Do you know how to handle a flexible working request?
Posted on 23rd March 2021
We have all heard that the pandemic has made businesses re-evaluate new ways of working. Employees who have been employed for at least 26 weeks and who have not made a request in the last 12 months have a right to make a request for flexible working.
Therefore, if you receive a flexible working request which you are unsure on whether you can accommodate, the following are seven steps to deal with the request:-
1. Invite to a meeting
1. Invite the employee to a meeting to discuss in detail the request and how they consider it could be accommodated.
2. Discuss your view
Let them know your views on the impact of the request on the business.
3. Discuss alternatives
Discuss any other alternatives that would suit you and the employee.
4. Can you accommodate
You must decide whether the business can accommodate the request by looking at the role the individual does along with the requirements of the business, remembering that you can always have a trial period.
5. Refuse the request
If you decide that the business cannot accommodate the request your refusal must fall within one or more of the following reasons:
It will cost the business more money;
The business is not able to reorganise the work with the existing staff;
The business is not able to recruit additional staff;
There would be detrimental impact on quality;
There would be detrimental impact on performance;
The business would not be able to meet customer demand;
There is not enough work for the employee during the periods they propose to work;
A planned structural change to the business.
6. Appeal
Write to the employee with your decision and if you are refusing their request, then allow them the right to appeal.
7. Time period
Finally, all requests including the appeal stage have to be resolved within a 3-month period. to edit it.
Benefits
There are many benefits of flexible working:
🟢 Increase productivity reduces stress and burnout
🟢 Promotes a healthy work life balance
🟢 Better job satisfaction
🟢 Increase in morale and motivation
All of these help to retain staff for longer and have a financial benefit in terms of reduced cost on recruitment and reduced employee absenteeism.this text to edit it.
Summary
Overall, a flexible work environment is beneficial to both employers and employees. Employees have more freedom to work in an environment that is conducive to increasing their output and work rate, while the business can benefit from a happier and harder working workforce.
Please do not hesitate to contact daxa@hrresultsltd.co.uk if you would like to discuss the plan you would like to put in place. Taking HR from 'TO DO' to 'DONE'.
Tagged as: Flexible working, Steps to follow
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