Can My Civil Service Flexible Working Request Be Rejected Because Everyone Else Might Ask?
Blanket Reasons for Refusing Civil Service Flexible Working Requests
Hello,
I submitted a formal flexible working request to reduce my office days and change my start and finish times because of caring responsibilities.
My manager said the arrangement might work for me, but they are concerned that approving it would set a precedent and everyone else in the team would make a similar request. The written refusal also refers generally to collaboration and team fairness, but it does not explain what work would be affected in my case.
Can a request be refused because other people might ask for the same thing? I am not asking for special treatment and I suggested a trial period, cover arrangements and specific days when I would attend.
How should I respond, and should I appeal or submit a revised request?
Quick Answer
A flexible working refusal should be based on one or more permitted business reasons applied to the actual request. Concern that other employees may also ask is not, by itself, one of those reasons, although the employer can consider the real operational effect of granting multiple arrangements.
Read our If Your Flexible Working Request Is Refused guide to test the stated reason and prepare a revised proposal or appeal.
Need help with your own situation? Visit Get Tailored Advice or browse more questions in Advice.
How I Would Challenge a Flexible Working Refusal Based on Setting a Precedent
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Continue reading to see how I would turn the general fairness concern into specific questions, test the operational evidence and decide between an appeal and a revised proposal.
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