Where it was not possible to agree to the request to work flexibly, the letter confirming the decision should advise the employee that, if he/she wishes to appeal, he/she has the right to appeal and who to to submit their grounds of appeal. Such appeals will usually be heard by the line manager of manager who made the decision.
Where it is necessary for another manager to hear the appeal he/she will be of the same or higher grade, from the same department or service if possible. In such circumstance, the employee will be advised, in writing, of the reasons why this is the case. If the appeal is against a decision made by a Head of Department, Service Leader or the Human Resources Director the appeal will be heard by a Pro-Director or other memberof the Directors Management Team.
The grounds of appeal should be submitted to the person specified in the decision within fourteen days, who arrange an appeal meeting. The manager that made the decision will also attend to explain the reasons for his/her decision.
Employees should make every reasonable effort to attend related meetings and to be prepared to discuss their application in an open and constructive manner. The employee has the right to be accompanied by a work colleague or trade union representative at any meetings connected with the appeal.
The manager hearing the appeal will have the right to uphold or reject it. If it is upheld, a letter shall be sent to the employee confirming the new working pattern and notifying him/her of the date from which the new arrangement is to take effect. The manager will be notified of the reasons and given suggestions regarding what arrangements can be made to accommodate the working practice. Where it is rejected, the person hearing the appeal will write to the employee within fourteen days of the meeting advising him/her of the reasons for the decision.
The decision following the appeal is final in terms of the School’s internal procedures.
Reporting
This guidance will be reviewed regularly. An annual report on the requests that have been accepted and rejected will be sent to the HR director.
Employment law framework
For information about the legal framework for requesting flexible working, see the following:
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1616
https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview
http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/parents-and-carers/flexible-working/flexible-working-webguide-step-1-what-to-ask-for