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Flexible Working Policy

This Flexible Working policy sets out both the employee and line manager responsibilities, defines who is entitled and eligible to apply, and how the employer will assess requests and make a decision. This example template policy provides Eligible employees (defined in this document) with a more generous framework for requesting flexible working arrangements than the National Employment Standards (“NES”).

Flexible working arrangements

What are flexible working arrangements?

Some examples of flexible working arrangements include changes to:

  • hours of work (e.g. changes to start and finish times)
  • pattern of work (e.g. split shifts or job sharing)
  • location of work (e.g. working from home).

Who can request flexible working arrangements?

Employees (other than a casual employee) who have worked with the same employer for at least 12 months can request flexible working arrangements if they:

  • are the parent, or have responsibility for the care, of a child who is school aged or younger
  • are a carer (under the Carer Recognition Act 2010)
  • have a disability
  • are 55 or older
  • are experiencing family or domestic violence, or
  • provide care or support to a member of their household or immediate family who requires care and support because of family or domestic violence.

Key Points

  • From 1 December 2018, modern awards include new rules about requests for flexible work arrangements.
  • Before responding to a request from an eligible employee, an employer must first discuss the request with the employee to try to reach an agreement about a change to their working arrangements.
  • Requests can only be refused on reasonable business grounds. If employers refuse a request, they need to provide the employee with a written response.
  • This template flexible working arrangements policy goes above the National Employment Standards.

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