It is that time of year again, when the kids go back to school and many of us transition back to a more regular routine. While it may feel as though autumn has made an abrupt arrival, for many working parents, the challenges faced will go well beyond navigating the changing weather.
As an employer, it is important to recognise that September can be a stressful period for employees with childcare responsibilities as they navigate this change, while trying to meet both professional and personal obligations. For some employees, the shifting season may create worries around the logistics of getting children to and from school, while also being on time for their working day, not to mention the cost of wrap-around care either side of the school day.
Providing a flexible and realistic approach to the challenges can help build a supportive workplace and alleviate some of the pressures faced. Considering whether a business can accommodate options such as working from home, flexible start times, change in working hours or working patterns, can greatly assist and may help retain top talent. Maintaining open channels of communication with employees may allow discussions of flexible-working options, or other support available, more informally in the first instance.
It is possible that it could lead to an increase in formal flexible-working applications. To avoid potential claims, it is important that employers are up to date with the law in this area, as it is now a day one right to make a flexible working request, and ensure these requests are managed properly, being particularly mindful of time limits, eligibility and the prescribed reasons for rejecting a request if it cannot be accommodated.
Under the statutory scheme, employees are able to make up to two requests in any 12-month period. It will also be important for HR professionals to keep up to date with the Employment Rights Bill as it makes its way through the parliamentary process as further change is expected in this area.
Christine Caffrey is a senior associate in the employment team at SA Law
