Applicable to employees of the Central Academic Bodies and central activities of the University of London (the "central University").

1 Right to Request Flexible Working for Working Parents   
2 Handling Requests from Eligible Employees 
3 Handling Requests From Employees Not Eligible under the Regulations

1.1
An employee with at least 26 weeks continuous service will be able to apply to change the terms and conditions of their employment to enable them to care for:

• a child under the age of 17 years;
• a disabled child under the age of 18 years who requires it;
• an adult who requires it.

1.2
To qualify to apply for the purposes of caring for a child, the employee must be (or be married to or be the / civil partner of) the child’s mother, father, adopter, guardian, special guardian or foster parent and have/expect to have responsibility for the upbringing of the child.

1.3
To qualify to apply for the purposes of caring for an adult who requires it, the employee must be or expect to be caring for their spouse, partner, civil partner, a relative* or live at the same address as the adult in need of care.

* A relative for this purpose is a mother, father, adopter, guardian, special guardian, parent-in-law, adult child, adopted adult child, siblings (including those who are in laws), uncle, aunt, grandparent or step-relative.

2.1
The request can relate to:

• the hours they are required to work;
• the times they are required to work;
• their place of work.

2.2
Requests must be made in writing and contain certain information in order to be valid. Unless we are able to agree to the request on the basis of the application itself, we are obliged to meet with the employee to discuss the request.  The legislation lays down the grounds on which an application may be refused. The legislation lays down a specific procedure for handling the request and specific timescales within which employers must respond. 

2.3
Please contact Human Resources for advice as soon as you receive a request.  Requests will be given sympathetic consideration and, subject to working needs, will not be unreasonably refused.

3.1
The central University will give sympathetic consideration to all employees’ requests for flexible working, regardless of length of service and whether the request is for a permanent, short-term or trial adaptation in the hours / times or place of work.  Subject to working needs, requests shall not be unreasonably refused.  The employee need not be a parent or carer as defined under the statutory provisions.

3.2
There is no set procedure to follow and employees may make their initial approach informally or formally, verbally or in writing, and the case will be considered as soon as possible.  It may, in some cases, be necessary for the case to be put in writing at a later date and the central University shall write to you as necessary to vary your contract if agreed.

3.3
Further advice and guidance is available here the intranet or from a HR Manager.