Flexible working for new mums

[Fat hippo]

Question on behalf of the gf.
My gf has recently gone back to work after having a year off on maternity leave. She works for a large global asset management company.
She has asked i she could change to a 3 day week (currently doing 5) but wants to spend more time at home with our luttle boy.

Her employer has suggested that if they could find someone to share the job then they could allow it. A colleague in her team has been on compassionate leave following her husbands death and returned to work at the same time as gf. That colleague initially agreed to share the week with gf but now has changed her mind as she cant afford to go to a 3 day week.
Gf is now very upset especially as her colleague has been offered a 4 day week and my gf has been told that they cant offer her anything.

My point is that this seems to give priority for flexible working to some who has had a famy loss against a new mother.
I thought employment law was advantageous to new mothers?

Can someone advise?

[edc]

She has the right to request it, not an automatic entitlement to flexible working. A previous separate request does not necessarily set a precedent. The business can refuse any request.

[Fat hippo]

Thanks edc

[edc]

Keep talking to the business. Are there any alternative arrangements that might suit? 5 days but reduced hours, same hours but over 4 days etc. What is the concern of the business?

[Fat hippo]

The only concession they have made is to let her start one hour earlier so she can leave an hour earlier.

She came back to work in feb and has been using her 2012 accrued holidays to work a 3 day week and the rest of the team has managed. her colleague has also been working a short week since returning in feb and as mentioned the team has managed.

Her manager has mentioned that they dont want to lose headcount so if both her colleague and the gf can share one headcount then they can recruit for another head.