From 1 January 2010, the National Employment Standards (NES) replace the non-pay rate provisions of the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard (the Standard).
Under the NES, eligible employees have a right to request flexible working arrangements to assist them to care for their child.
What's a flexible working arrangement?
From 1 January 2010, an employee who is a parent or who has responsibility for the care of a child, may request a change in their working arrangements to assist the employee to care for the child.
Examples of changes in working arrangements may include:
- changes in hours of work (e.g. reduction in hours worked, changes to start / finish times)
- changes in patterns of work (e.g. working ‘split-shifts’ or job sharing arrangements)
- changes in location of work (e.g. working from home or another location).
How to make a request
The request for flexible working arrangements must:
- be made in writing
- set out details of the change sought and reasons for the change.