Post by Patrick Torsney on Dec 2, 2010 21:49:41 GMT 1
Here is a case study from a legal aid funded employment law specialist at Bolton CAB. This case was funded by legal aid, but would not be funded under new plans to remove all funding for anything at all to do with employment problems. This is a real story of a real person assisted by legal aid funding earlier this year
Miss. V
Miss V is a 29-year old young mother who recently gave birth to a baby boy.
She was due to return to work from maternity leave. Her usual hours were 40hpw (5 full days per week), but she wished to return on 25hpw (3 full days per week). Despite making informal enquiries, employer was totally resistant to this.
If the changes could not be agreed, client was concerned (especially as a single parent) that she would be unable to provide proper care for her child, and would be forced either to shell out hundreds of pounds on childcare or resign from her job & live off what she described as "handouts from the state".
The employment specialist at Bolton CAB advised Miss V in accordance with the Flexible Working Regulations, explained to her the various processes to be followed, and drafted a formal flexible working application on her behalf. Miss V attended various meetings after this which the adviser helped her to prepare and work through.
As a result, Miss V managed to secure a new position working 24 hpw. She has settled well into her new role & is enjoying the new hours. We also managed to negotiate a switch to Saturday shifts once per month, which will allow the father of her child to spend time with the newborn as well.
Miss. V
Miss V is a 29-year old young mother who recently gave birth to a baby boy.
She was due to return to work from maternity leave. Her usual hours were 40hpw (5 full days per week), but she wished to return on 25hpw (3 full days per week). Despite making informal enquiries, employer was totally resistant to this.
If the changes could not be agreed, client was concerned (especially as a single parent) that she would be unable to provide proper care for her child, and would be forced either to shell out hundreds of pounds on childcare or resign from her job & live off what she described as "handouts from the state".
The employment specialist at Bolton CAB advised Miss V in accordance with the Flexible Working Regulations, explained to her the various processes to be followed, and drafted a formal flexible working application on her behalf. Miss V attended various meetings after this which the adviser helped her to prepare and work through.
As a result, Miss V managed to secure a new position working 24 hpw. She has settled well into her new role & is enjoying the new hours. We also managed to negotiate a switch to Saturday shifts once per month, which will allow the father of her child to spend time with the newborn as well.