Associate Handbook 2018

If more time is needed to make a decision, the Manager will ask for the Associate’s agreement to delay the decision to an agreed date. A request for an extension is likely to benefit Associates. For example, an Associate’s Manager may need more time to investigate how their request can be accommodated or to consult several other Associates. There will be circumstances where, due to business and operational requirements, the Company is unable to agree to a request. In these circumstances the Associate’s Managers will write;

stating the business ground(s) why the request cannot be agreed;

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 providing an explanation of why the business reasons apply in the circumstances; and

setting out the appeal procedure.

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The eight business grounds on which the Company may reject requests are:

the burden of additional costs;

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detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand;

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inability to reorganise work among existing Associates;

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inability to recruit additional Associates;

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detrimental impact on quality;

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detrimental impact on performance;

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 insufficiency of work during the periods the Associate proposes to work; and

planned changes.

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If a request is accepted, or where the Company proposes an alternative to the arrangement requested, the Associate’s Manager will write with details of the new working arrangements, details of any trial period, an explanation of changes to contracts and the date on which they will commence. Associates will be asked to sign and return a copy of the letter. This will be placed on the Associates personnel file to confirm the variation to their terms of employment. There may also be some additional practical matters, such as arrangements for handing over work that Associate’s Manager will discuss with them. Please note that, under the formal procedure, changes to terms of employment will be permanent and Associates will not be able to make another formal request until twelve months after the date of their original application.

Formal procedure: appeal

If a request is rejected, Associates have no statutory right to appeal. However the Company wishes to deal with all requests in a reasonable manner so is happy to hear one appeal from the Associate.