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In December 2010 my wife and I had our first baby and due to that we both needed for me to work a regular shift pattern that would enable me to have my son on a couple of days during the week while my wife works. While I work [as a bus driver], my wife looks after our son. I was offered 39 hours a week but with the hours compressed into four days rather than five. This facility is something that the company provides throughout the whole of the UK for those who have family responsibilities. It is meant to be reviewed on a basis of around six months. My manager has since changed and the new manager has given me two months to find other childcare arrangements. In the presence of a union official, the manager made it clear that the only option the company was now giving me was to use childcare, which means that I would have to work an extra day or two to cover the cost of childcare. Other colleagues are allowed to continue working flexibly because their circumstances are "different". I feel that I am being treated like this as I have reported a lot of problems with bus safety recently. I have submitted a formal application for flexible working for the hours that I am currently doing under the facility provided which is something that I really need as in September my wife and I are expecting our second child. I don't see them accepting my request for flexible working, even though I meet every criteria and that it won't affect the current running of the business in any way because what I am asking for is already in effect. Once I get the reply I am anticipating, which is the refusal, I will appeal. What grounds do you think I have for taking this further to enable me to have a work life and be a parent?
Answered by: Ruth Renton
Based on the facts you do appear to have been treated unfairly and there may be possible grounds for employment tribunal claims. It doesn’t make sense that after nearly two… View full answer >
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