Your browser does not allow automatic adding of bookmarks. Please press Ctrl/Command + D to add a bookmark manually.
Consider an employee's request to return from maternity leave on a part-time basis
Key points
It often happens that an employee who has had a baby will ask their employer for a move from full-time working to part-time working to fit their working life around caring for their child.
Although there is no automatic right for an employee to switch from full-time to part-time working on request, a refusal without justification to allow an employee returning from maternity leave to move from full-time to part-time working is likely to constitute indirect sex discrimination.
The employee is likely to qualify for the statutory right to request flexible working, in which case the employer should ensure that it handles the request in a reasonable manner and notifies the employee of its decision within the statutory time frame.
The materials and information included in the XpertHR service are provided for reference purposes only. They are not intended either as a substitute for professional advice or judgment or to provide legal or other advice with respect to particular circumstances. Use of the service is subject to our terms and conditions.