An employee wants to work part-time. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

I am the director of an incorporated health care business and have a question regarding an employee’s request to work part-time after having worked in a full-time capacity for the past four and a half years.

Our business is very busy and he has many clients on his list. Under the new Act and Health Professionals and Support Services Award am I obliged to accept his request or am I in a position to state that this move would impact on the business financially, as well as affect efficiently, productivity and customer service needs?

Thank you,
SL

Dear SL,

What are the reasons for the request? If it is to care for children under school age, then the new Fair Work rules apply (although even then you don’t have to accept their proposal).

It is important to realise that while we have new rules, it is now not a given right for employees to demand and receive part-time work.

And our legal adviser Peter Vitalie also says that state law is important here, so I would recommend getting some specific legal advice.

So what you need to do is think things through with an open mind. Will it really be disruptive? Can you make it work? And take onto account the gratitude and loyalty that granting such a request will generate (hopefully) from the employee.

If it is simply too difficult and disruptive, sit down with the employee and work out another solution like starting later and finishing earlier.

Remember, whatever you decide to record it in writing!

Good luck,
Your Aunty B

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