Maternity Leave Policy and Procedure

Transcription

1 Maternity Leave Plicy and Prcedure June 2012 PL3.3

2 MATERNITY LEAVE POLICY & PROCEDURE POLICY STATEMENT 1. Purpse and Cre Principles 1.1 Theme 4 f ur University s Strategic Plan - Engaging, valuing and develping ur diverse cmmunity f clleagues, utlines ur cmmitment t ur emplyees t ffer an attractive and supprtive wrk envirnment. As such, ur University has psitined its respnse t statutry respnsibilities t g beynd achieving minimum legal cmpliance. 1.2 Our University s Maternity Leave plicy aims t ensure fair and cnsistent treatment f its pregnant female emplyees. The plicy sets ut statutry maternity rights and additinal cntractual benefits ffered by ur University. The accmpanying prcedure prvides clear guidance n the applicatin f the plicy and utlines the administrative prcesses t be fllwed by wmen wishing t request time ff under the prvisins. 2. Scpe 2.1 This plicy and prcedure addresses bth statutry and ccupatinal maternity entitlements and is applicable t all pregnant wmen. 3. Respnsibility 3.1 Human Resurces has respnsibility fr ensuring that this plicy and prcedure is adhered t and will prvide advice and guidance t managers and wmen n its applicatin. 3.2 Managers are als respnsible fr ensuring that this plicy and prcedure is adhered t. 4. Review 4.1 This plicy and prcedure will be mnitred n an annual basis and reviewed a minimum f every three years r sner, in light f legislative changes and rganisatinal requirements as apprpriate. 2

3 PROCEDURE 1. Ntificatin f Pregnancy 1.1 Fr reasns f Health and Safety, wmen are strngly advised t infrm their managers as sn as pssible that they are pregnant, in rder that arrangements can be made fr a Health and Safety risk assessment t be undertaken. 1.2 Health & Safety Our University is required by law t carry ut a Health & Safety risk assessment fr wmen at wrk, wh are pregnant, have given birth within the previus six mnths r wh are breastfeeding. Further guidance can be sught frm Occupatinal Health The utcme f the risk assessment may be that there is n likelihd f risk. Hwever, the new r expectant r nursing mther will be expected t fllw the general advice as prvided in Appendix If a risk is identified, managers, in cnjunctin with Human Resurces, will cnsider if changes t wrk practices r hurs f wrk are pssible t allw wmen t cntinue in their psts. If changes are nt pssible, they may be ffered suitable alternative wrk fr the perid cncerned. Where as a result f a risk assessment, they shuld be ffered a suitable alternative and there is n such alternative, they will be suspended with pay until a suitable alternative becmes available. Hwever, if a wman shuld refuse any such suitable alternative wrk, entitlement t pay will be withdrawn. 2. Eligibility and Entitlement fr Maternity Leave 2.1 All wmen regardless f length f service are entitled t 52 weeks Statutry Maternity Leave (SML); made up f 26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) and 26 weeks Additinal Maternity Leave (AML). 2.2 In additin, wmen wh have at least ne year s cntinuus service with ur University, by the end f the 15 th week befre the expected week f childbirth (EWC) (the qualifying week ), are entitled t a further 11 weeks maternity leave. Wmen wh meet this qualifying criterin are therefre entitled t take up t a maximum f 63 weeks maternity leave. 2.3 The earliest that maternity leave can cmmence is 11 weeks befre the EWC, up until the birth itself. 2.4 Only ne perid f maternity leave will be available irrespective f whether mre than ne child is brn as the result f the same pregnancy. 3

4 2.5 Time Off fr Ante-natal Care Pregnant wmen regardless f length f service are als entitled t reasnable time ff with pay t attend ante-natal care. This includes travelling time t and frm appintments. Hwever, wherever pssible, they shuld try t arrange ante-natal care during their wn time Emplyees shuld infrm their managers as sn as pssible abut any appintments s that absences can be planned fr. It shuld be nted that they may be required t prvide evidence f ante-natal appintments t their managers, except in the case f the first appintment. 3. Eligibility and Entitlement fr Maternity Pay 3.1 Wmen with less than 26 weeks service by the end f the 15 th week befre the EWC (the qualifying week ) will nt be entitled t receive maternity pay. 3.2 Wmen with mre than 26 weeks service by the end f the 15 th week befre the EWC (the qualifying week ) will be entitled t Statutry Maternity Pay (SMP) and Occupatinal Maternity Pay (OMP), subject t meeting the qualifying criteria utlined in Sectins 3.3 and Statutry Maternity Pay (SMP) In rder t qualify fr SMP, she must meet the fllwing cnditins: Have wrked fr ur University cntinuusly fr at least 26 weeks by the end f the qualifying week; Have average weekly earnings at r abve the lwer earnings limit fr Natinal Insurance cntributins; and Have submitted a Maternity Leave Applicatin Frm and Mat.B1 frm t Human Resurces, at least 28 days befre the intended start date f maternity leave In the case f ineligibility fr SMP, Human Resurces will issue a SMP1 frm, which explains why ur University cannt pay SMP. This frm may be used t pursue a claim fr a statutry payment frm Jbcentre Plus knwn as Maternity Allwance, which a wman may be eligible t receive subject t meeting certain qualifying criteria Eligible wmen are entitled t receive SMP fr 39 weeks Where emplyees are emplyed n a fixed-term cntract and their cntract is due t expire during their maternity leave, SMP (if applicable) will cntinue t be paid thrugh ur University fr 39 weeks. 4

5 3.3.5 The breakdwn f SMP that eligible emplyees will receive is utlined belw. Weeks % f average weekly earnings Weeks 7 39 Statutry weekly rate r a rate equivalent t 90% f average weekly earnings, whichever rate is the lwer It shuld be nted that payments f SMP will stp if any f the fllwing apply t emplyees during the maternity pay perid: Emplyee returns t wrk in any capacity during the maternity pay perid (this des nt apply t Keeping in Tuch Days ); r Emplyee is arrested at any time during the maternity pay perid; r Emplyee wrks after the birth fr any ther emplyer during the maternity pay perid. 3.4 Occupatinal Maternity Pay (OMP) In rder t qualify fr OMP, a wman must meet the fllwing cnditins: Have wrked fr ur University cntinuusly fr at least 26 weeks by the end f the qualifying week; and Return t wrk fr at least 3 full wrking mnths fllwing maternity leave. Emplyees n fixed-term cntracts will be expected t return t wrk fr at least 3 full wrking mnths fllwing maternity leave r t the end f their cntract, whichever date is sner It shuld be nted that the return t wrk perid begins frm the pint emplyees return t the wrkplace and cmmence wrk after maternity leave. Perids f paid r unpaid absence prir t a return t wrk, immediately fllwing maternity leave r in the initial return t wrk perid e.g. annual leave r sickness absence, d nt cunt twards the 3 mnth qualifying perid The breakdwn f OMP that eligible emplyees will receive is utlined belw. Weeks % f average weekly earnings minus SMP Weeks % f average weekly earnings Wmen can chse t be paid OMP during their maternity leave, r they can pt t pstpne the payments until they have returned t wrk and cmpleted 3 full wrking mnths qualifying service, in which case nly SMP (if applicable), wuld be paid during the maternity leave perid. They will nly be paid OMP during their maternity leave if they prvide written cnfirmatin stating that they wuld be prepared t re-pay any verpayments in full. 5

6 3.4.5 Upn failure t return t wrk, r cmplete the required length f service fllwing maternity leave, OMP (utlined in Sectin 3.4.3) will be fully recverable. OMP will als be fully recverable where emplyees emplyed n a fixed-term cntract are ffered, and subsequently decline, an extensin t their cntract which wuld allw fr a return t wrk fr 3 full wrking mnths fllwing maternity leave. Human Resurces will calculate the amunt f OMP t be re-paid and make arrangements with the emplyee fr re-payment A summary f statutry and ccupatinal maternity payments is prvided in Appendix 2. Human Resurces will issue an individual summary f maternity pay, nce written ntificatin f maternity leave has been received Payments made t wmen n maternity leave will be made in the same way as ther earnings and will als, be subject t tax, natinal insurance and pensin cntributins, where applicable. Where wmen are members f salary sacrifice schemes, the advice f Human Resurces shuld be sught as t the terms and cnditins f such schemes during maternity leave. 4. Ntificatin fr Maternity Leave 4.1 Wmen are encuraged t give early ntificatin, t their manager, f their intentin t take maternity leave fr planning purpses. 4.2 They must cmplete the Maternity Leave Applicatin Frm (Appendix 3) and submit this t Human Resurces at least 28 days befre the intended start date f maternity leave. 4.3 They must als prvide a maternity certificate (Mat.B1 frm) issued by a registered dctr/midwife which cnfirms the expected date f birth f the child. This can be enclsed with the applicatin frm r prvided at a later date, if the Mat.B1 has yet t be issued at the time f submitting the applicatin frm. 4.4 Human Resurces will cnfirm the dates f maternity leave and pay (if applicable), in writing, within 28 days f receipt f the cmpleted applicatin frm. 4.5 If a wman wishes t change the start date f their maternity leave, at least 28 days ntice befre the riginal date r the new date they wish their maternity leave t start frm, whichever is sner, must be prvided in writing t their manager and Human Resurces. 4.6 Emplyees must cnfirm the actual date f birth, t their manager and Human Resurces, as sn as is reasnably practicable. Shuld an early birth ccur, maternity leave will autmatically start the day after the date f birth, if maternity leave has nt already cmmenced. 4.7 In the tragic event f a still birth frm the start f the 25 th week f pregnancy, a wman will still qualify fr maternity leave and pay (bth SMP and OMP, if applicable). If a miscarriage ccurs during the first 24 weeks f pregnancy, there is n maternity leave r pay entitlement. 6

7 Any absence frm wrk wuld be treated as sickness absence and the wman wuld receive sick pay as apprpriate. 5. Illness during Pregnancy 5.1 A wman wh is ill and absent frm wrk during her pregnancy shuld cntinue t reprt sickness, in accrdance with ur University s sickness absence reprting requirements. 5.2 Pregnancy-related Absence Absence frm wrk with an illness which is whlly r partly pregnancy-related, prir t the beginning f the furth week befre the EWC, will autmatically start maternity leave n the Sunday f the furth week befre the EWC Absence frm wrk with an illness which is whlly r partly pregnancy-related, after the beginning f the furth week befre the EWC, will autmatically start maternity leave the day after the first day f pregnancy-related absence. 5.3 Nn-Pregnancy-related Absence The start date f maternity leave will nt be affected by any absences frm wrk where the illness is nn-pregnancy-related. 6. Sharing f Leave and Pay with Partners (Shared Parental Leave) 6.1 Eligible mthers can chse t end their maternity leave and/r pay early and with the child s father r their partner pt int shared parental leave and pay. Shared parental leave cannt start until tw weeks after the birth f the baby and up t a maximum f 50 weeks leave and 37 weeks pay can be shared with the partner in the first year f their child s life. Shared parental leave can be taken by each parent separately r at the same time. Fr further infrmatin n shared parental leave, please refer t ur Shared Parental Leave Plicy and Prcedure. 7. Emplyment Terms & Cnditins during Maternity Leave 7.1 If a wman takes a perid f maternity leave, this cunts as cntinuus service and their cntinuus service rights are nt affected. 7.2 Wmen are entitled t receive any increments and/r cst f living increases, which they wuld have been due, had they nt been n maternity leave. 7.3 Emplyees will accrue annual leave whilst n maternity leave. Hwever, annual leave cannt be taken whilst emplyees are n maternity leave. There is n entitlement t carry annual leave frward frm ne leave year t the next and cnsequently, emplyees must therefre arrange t take their annual leave entitlement during the current leave year, either prir t 7

8 starting, r subsequent t their maternity leave. It shuld als be nted that there is n entitlement t be paid fr any undertaken annual leave. If emplyees d nt take their annual leave entitlement during the current leave year, any undertaken leave will be lst. (Except paragraph 7.4 and 7.5 belw) 7.4 In the event that a wman gives birth early and is unable t take all her annual leave entitlement fr the current leave year, either prir t cmmencing maternity leave, r n her return t wrk, 7.5 may be applied. 7.5 In such circumstances, any undertaken annual leave up t the statutry maximum f 4 weeks can be carried in full, r in part int the fllwing leave year. The leave shuld be added t the end f the maternity leave perid and can be taken befre the emplyee returns t wrk. 8. Pensin Cntributins during Maternity Leave 8.1 During maternity leave, emplyee pensin cntributins will be based n the actual pay received and nt salary payments prir t taking maternity leave. 8.2 Emplyer pensin cntributins will be calculated n the same basis as applicable prir t taking maternity leave. 8.3 Once maternity pay ceases, n further pensin cntributins will be payable until a return t wrk has ccurred. This perid f leave will nt be included as pensinable service. Fr any perid f unpaid maternity leave, it may be pssible fr an emplyee t make arrangements t pay back cntributins, depending upn the rules f the ccupatinal pensin scheme. Further infrmatin n the implicatins f maternity leave n pensin cntributins is available frm Human Resurces. 8.4 Occupatinal pensin scheme members will cntinue t be cvered fr death in service benefits during the entire perid f maternity leave. 9. Cntact during Maternity Leave 9.1 During maternity leave, emplyees and managers may make reasnable cntact with ne anther. The frequency and nature f any cntact will depend n a number f factrs, such as, the nature f the wrk and the pst; any mutual agreement reached befre maternity leave cmmenced; and whether there is a need t cmmunicate imprtant infrmatin, fr example, changes in the wrkplace that might affect the return t wrk f the emplyee. 9.2 The cntact between emplyees and their managers can be made in a range f ways, fr example, by telephne, , letter, r a meeting. 10. Keeping in Tuch Days during Maternity Leave 10.1 A wman may, by agreement with their manager, undertake up t a maximum f 10 days paid wrk, knwn as Keeping in Tuch (KIT) days, during the maternity leave perid withut 8

9 it affecting their rights t maternity leave r pay. KIT days may be taken at any stage during maternity leave, except during the first tw weeks after the baby is brn The type f wrk that can be undertaken n KIT days is a matter fr agreement between emplyees and their managers. The days may be used fr any activity rdinarily classed as wrk under the emplyee s cntract and culd be particularly useful in enabling fr example, attendance at a cnference, undertaking a training activity r attending a team meeting Any amunt f wrk undertaken n a KIT day, will cunt as ne keeping in tuch day fr the purpses f the 10 days maximum KIT days are paid at nrmal daily rate (based n 1/365 f annual salary) and will be paid in either full r half days nly. If a wman is receiving SMP, it will cntinue t be paid fr the week in which any KIT days are undertaken. Payment will be made thrugh payrll and subject t tax, natinal insurance and pensin cntributins in the nrmal way. A claim frm must be cmpleted (Appendix 4) in rder t claim payment fr wrk undertaken n a KIT day Our University is nt legally bliged t prvide KIT days, nr are emplyees legally bliged t wrk them. 11. Returning t Wrk frm Maternity Leave 11.1 Fr Health and Safety reasns, wmen may nt return t wrk within 2 weeks f childbirth. This is classed as the cmpulsry maternity leave perid. This is extended t 4 weeks if a mther wrks in an area where the nature f the wrk is equivalent t industrial cnditins Unless ntified therwise, it will be presumed that wmen will take their full maternity leave entitlement, f either 52 r 63 weeks depending upn their length f cntinuus service. Whether r nt emplyees intend t take their full entitlement, it is helpful fr planning purpses if regular cntact is maintained with their manager thrughut the perid f maternity leave Hwever, if a wman wishes t return t wrk earlier r later than agreed during their maternity leave, at least 8 weeks ntice must be given, in writing, t their manager and Human Resurces. Failure t give the crrect ntice f an early return, ur University may delay the return t wrk, t allw fr the 8 week ntice perid Emplyees wh take maternity leave are entitled t return t the same jb n the same emplyment terms and cnditins as if they had nt been n maternity leave. Hwever, emplyees wh are n maternity leave whse pst is subject t ur University s Management f Change prcess and/r at ptential risk f redundancy, will be cnsulted at an early stage. Fr further infrmatin, please refer t ur Management f Change Guidelines and ur Redundancy Plicy Returning t Wrk n Reduced r Altered Hurs 9

10 Emplyees wh wish t return t wrk n reduced r altered hurs must submit a Flexible Wrking request, in writing, t their manager. The request will be given full cnsideratin in accrdance with ur University s Flexible Wrking Plicy and Prcedure. Hwever, please be aware that there is n autmatic right t change. At least 14 weeks shuld be allwed befre the intended return t wrk date t submit a flexible wrking request. Yur manager will arrange a meeting with yu t discuss the request. If the request is granted, this will nrmally be a permanent change t yur terms and cnditins unless therwise stated. Fr further infrmatin n the prcess fr submitting a Flexible Wrking request, please refer t ur Flexible Wrking plicy and prcedure A summary f key timeframes linked t ur University s Maternity Leave plicy is prvided in Appendix In the event that a wman becmes pregnant whilst n maternity leave, her entitlement t take statutry maternity leave remains unaffected and the ntificatin prcess as utlined in Sectin 4 shuld be fllwed. Hwever, in such circumstances, their entitlement t maternity pay, bth t SMP and OMP, may be affected. They will nly qualify fr OMP fr the subsequent perid f maternity leave prvided they have returned t wrk and cmpleted 3 full mnths qualifying service. Further infrmatin is available frm Human Resurces Facilities fr Expressing Milk Our University acknwledges that a new mther may still be breastfeeding when they return t wrk and that as an emplyer; it is gd practice t prvide a private, healthy and safe envirnment fr them t express and stre milk T ensure that suitable arrangements fr expressing and string breast milk can be made and s that a health and safety risk assessment can be undertaken, wmen shuld speak with their manager in the first instance. Fr further details regarding facilities fr expressing milk, please cntact Occupatinal Health. 12. Related Plicies Flexible Wrking Plicy Parental Leave Plicy Paternity/Partner Leave Plicy Shared Parental Leave Plicy Time ff fr Public Duties and Special Leave Plicy 10

11 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Ante-natal Care AML Early birth EWC KIT Day MA MAT.B1 OML OMP Qualifying week SML SMP SMP1 Medical r advisry care prvided by a dctr, health centre r hspital prir t childbirth Additinal Maternity Leave A baby that is brn befre the 37 th week f pregnancy Expected Week f Childbirth Keeping in Tuch Day Maternity Allwance The reference number f a frm issued by a dctr r midwife which states the expected date f birth Ordinary Maternity Leave Occupatinal Maternity Pay The 15th week befre the expected week f childbirth Statutry Maternity Leave Statutry Maternity Pay The reference number f a frm prvided by Human Resurces which explains why ur University cannt pay SMP 11

12 APPENDIX 1 GUIDANCE FOR WOMEN: WORKING COMFORTABLY DURING PREGNANCY Under the Health and Safety at Wrk Act 1974 and ther Health and Safety Regulatins, everyne is respnsible fr ensuring their wrking envirnment is safe. This may need a little extra thught when yu are pregnant. As far as pssible, re-arrange yur wrkplace: Dn t stre things ut f reach s yu have t bend r stretch unduly; Keep the area free frm bstructins such as bxes r trailing wires that yu culd trip ver r bump int; Make sure crrespndence, keybard and ther wrking materials are within easy reach; Ensure yu are sitting cmfrtably (see guidance in the Cde f Practice n Display Screen Equipment): Keep yur feet n the flr r a ftrest; Keep yur back vertical and supprted by the chair-back r a cushin in the small f yur back; Keep hands in line with the frearms when using the keybard, nt bent sharply at the wrists; Dn t verlad yur bdy; Where pssible, change yur psitin frequently get up and walk arund peridically; Organise yur wrk s there is variety in yur tasks - sme sitting, sme standing, sme walking; If yur jb means being n yur feet all day, sit dwn whenever yu can; During lunch breaks try t sit with yur feet in a raised psitin; Pace yurself, dn t wrk t the pint f pain r exhaustin; change yur psitin r yur task befre prblems ccur. And finally, yu may wish t cnsider hw yu dress: Wear lse-fitting clthing that desn t restrict yur mvements; If yu wear a unifrm in yur jb, ask yur manager fr alternative clthing, where necessary; Wear lw-heeled shes and supprt tights. 12

13 WEEK STATUTORY MATERNITY PAY (SMP) % f average weekly 4 earnings Statutry weekly rate r a 8 rate equivalent t 90% f 9 average weekly earnings, whichever rate is the lwer APPENDIX 2 SUMMARY OF MATERNITY PAY Statutry weekly rate r a rate equivalent t 90% f average weekly earnings, whichever rate is the lwer OCCUPATIONAL MATERNITY PAY (OMP) N/A 90% f average weekly earnings minus SMP 50% f average weekly earnings TOTAL MATERNITY PAY 90% f average weekly earnings 90% f average weekly earnings 50% f average weekly earnings plus SMP Statutry weekly rate r a rate equivalent t 90% f 34 average weekly earnings, 35 whichever rate is the lwer 36 N/A SMP nly N/A N/A Unpaid 13

14 MATERNITY LEAVE APPLICATION FORM PERSONAL DETAILS Surname: First name(s): Pay Number: YOUR DATES FOR MATERNITY LEAVE The earliest that maternity leave can cmmence is 11 weeks befre the Expected Week f Childbirth (EWC). Yu may wrk up until the date that yur child is due and yur maternity leave may cmmence n any day f the week. My expected date f childbirth is: I wuld like my maternity leave t start n: I enclse my Mat.B1 frm which cnfirms my expected date f childbirth: Yes T fllw YOUR DECLARATION Yu will be allwed 39 weeks with pay prvided that yu return t wrk fr at least 3 full wrking mnths fllwing yur maternity leave. The breakdwn f maternity pay that eligible wmen will receive is: i) Weeks % f average weekly earnings ii) Weeks % f average weekly earnings (including SMP) iii) Weeks % f average weekly earnings plus SMP iv) Weeks SMP nly If yu d nt return t wrk fr at least 3 full wrking mnths fllwing yur maternity leave, yu are nly entitled t the SMP elements (if applicable) f payments ii) and iii) utlined abve. I wuld like t be paid payments ii) and iii) in full during my maternity leave and I cnfirm that I wuld be prepared t re-pay any verpayment in full. Signature: Date: OR I wuld like t pstpne payments ii) and iii) until I have returned t wrk and cmpleted 3 full wrking mnths qualifying service, in which case nly SMP (if applicable) will be paid during my maternity leave. Signature: Date: Please return yur cmpleted frm t Human Resurces. 14

15 APPENDIX 4 KEEPING IN TOUCH (KIT) DAYS CLAIM FORM By agreement with yur manager, up t a maximum f 10 KIT days may be undertaken. KIT days are paid at yur nrmal daily rate (based n 1/365 f annual salary) and will be paid in either full r half days nly. Any amunt f wrk undertaken n a KIT day will cunt as ne KIT day. PERSONAL DETAILS Surname: First name(s): Pay Number: KEEPING IN TOUCH (KIT) DAYS RECORD I am currently n: Maternity Leave Adptin Leave DATE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED DECLARATION Signed by Emplyee: Signed by Manager: Date: Date: Manager s Name: Please cmplete all sectins and frward t Payrll, G01, Leightn Hall, Headingley Campus 15

16 APPENDIX 5 MATERNITY TIMETABLE As sn as pssible Infrm yur manager and Human Resurces that yu are pregnant. Human Resurces will arrange a meeting with yu t discuss ur University s Maternity Leave scheme. 11 weeks befre Expected Week f Childbirth (EWC) Arrange a Health and Safety risk assessment, thrugh Occupatinal Health, t assess any Health and Safety implicatins f yur pregnancy. Yu may wish t view ur maternity e-learning mdule which als prvides details f ur maternity prvisins. This is the earliest date that maternity leave can cmmence. 4 weeks befre EWC This is the latest date which yu can submit yur Maternity Leave Applicatin Frm t Human Resurces. Yu shuld als prvide a cpy f the Mat.B1 frm issued by a registered dctr/midwife which cnfirms the expected date f childbirth. Childbirth Maternity leave will autmatically begin the day after the date f birth, if it has nt already dne s. Yu shuld cnfirm the actual date f birth t Human Resurces as sn as is reasnably practicable. 2 weeks after birth Fr Health and Safety reasns, this is the earliest date that yu can return 52 weeks after maternity leave has cmmenced 63 weeks after maternity leave has cmmenced At least 8 weeks befre yu intend t return t wrk At least 14 weeks befre yu intend t return t wrk t wrk. If yu have less than ne year s cntinuus service with ur University, this is the latest date that yu can return t wrk frm maternity leave. Prvided yu have at least ne year s cntinuus service with ur University, this is the latest date that yu can return t wrk frm maternity leave. Yu must give at least 8 weeks written ntice, t yur manager and Human Resurces, f yur intentin t return t wrk. If yu wish t return t wrk n reduced/altered hurs, yu must submit a flexible wrking request t yur manager. It culd take up t 14 weeks t cnsider a flexible wrking request s if yu wish yur new wrking pattern t cmmence n yur return t wrk yu shuld ensure yu submit yur request well in advance. 16