FI briefing: Why dads – and mums – should be able to challenge flexible working refusals at tribunal
6 April 2011
Men and women who have parental responsibility of a child aged 16 years or under (or a disabled child 17 years or under) and have fulfilled certain employment conditions, have what’s known as the ‘right to request flexible working’. But employers can refuse them on business grounds.
Dads are much less likely than mums to request flexible working – and if they do, their request is less likely to be successful. For anyone who makes a claim and is refused, it’s very difficult to challenge the employer’s decision…unless they’ve failed to follow the procedures correctly.
We believe that the grounds for appeal need to be extended. To find out why, read our Flexible working paper, written in collaboration with the Maternity Alliance.
Tags: For employers, Maternity
