Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi
I was wondering if anyone can help me to fill out a flexible working request.
On the form it says I need to write what affect this will have on the company and colleagues. I am applying to go from full time to 3 days a week.
I also wondered if this request shouldn't be a reasonable adjustments request instead. My boss have already made it clear to me that the business can't accommodate part time working, but it's due to my disability that I would like to request to work 3 days a week.
Not sure where I stand with this, I already have a employment tribunal claim against my work and they have admitted all their failures but is now sending me to a specialist because they say autism doesn't fall under the equality act.
I really want to work and I am worried I will never find another job.
Hope someone can help me with this flexible working request.
Thank you.
Autism does fall under the disability and equality acts.
But only, if you have a formal autism diagnosis!
California said:I would like to work from home not simply part-time.
Working from home can be a reasonable adjustment.
I suggest you look at the TUC's Autism in the Workplace document: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Autism.pdf
This Equality and Human Rights Commission web page contains a small section on autism: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/reasonable-adjustments-practiceand the "Workplace adjustments" web pages are worth reading.
You may also wish to contact NAS for advice:http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/contact-us.aspx
Given that you state "it's due to my disability that I would like to request to work 3 days a week", your request should be a reasonable adjustment.
It is incorrect to state autism does not fall under the equality act.
I suggest you also look at the TUC's Autism in the Workplace document: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Autism.pdf
http://employment.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk/information-for-employers/reasonable-adjustments/
I am concerned that your employer doesn’t think autism is covered by the equality act. It is my belief that it does.
You are not alone.
NAS36321 said:I have to go through the interview phase, getting used to new people and them getting used to me. Not sure I can do all that.
I also find this to be extremely difficult. That is also very scary to me.
NAS36321 said:I find it going to work 5 days a week is very overwhelming and I don’t get to rest.
I have exactly the same problem. That is why working from home would help me a lot and would motivate me a lot to do things. I feel that I am miserable.
Hi thanks for your reply.
setting up your own business sounds like a great idea. I wouldn’t even know how to start with that.
i kinda like working in an office, I get on really well with my colleagues it’s just my boss.
I am really struggling with what to write in this request, like you I don’t want to make matters worse. If my boss does deny me this flexible working hours then I have to find another job and that’s very scary. Not only do I have to find a job that will let me work part time, but I have to go through the interview phase, getting used to new people and them getting used to me. Not sure I can do all that.
I just really wish my boss would accept me working 3 days a week, they can even choose what days I will work, I just need a break. I find it going to work 5 days a week is very overwhelming and I don’t get to rest.
Hello NAS36321,
I am in a very similar situation.
However, I would like to work from home not simply part-time. My employer discourages me from submitting the flexible working request as they say that the business can't accommodate working from home 2 days a week.
My employer also has the same question - I need to write what affect this will have on the company and colleagues.
That flexible working form is quite long. I do not know what to do. I also do not want to make things worse.
My employer would be happy with part-time but does not want to give me working from home.
I think, your request should be a reasonable adjustments request not a flexible working request.
I also really want to work and I am also worried I will never find another job as the job interviews are horrible experience for me.
Now I am also focusing on setting up my own business and becoming a self-employed. I see this as the only way out from the corporate office culture and become a happy person.
I simply want flexibility and work-life balance. My work-life is in total imbalance.
It is really difficult to work and focus when the environment is not supportive. Not to mention motivation. My motivation is to do something is almost zero.