Tribunals accept limits to flexible working after maternity leave

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In two recent unsuccessful cases, employment tribunals accepted that there is no absolute obligation on employers to accept new mothers' requests to work flexibly on their return from maternity leave. Stephen Simpson rounds up recent employment tribunal decisions.

New mother's rejected homeworking request handled in a "reasonable manner"

In Whiteman v CPS Interiors Ltd and others, the employment tribunal held that an employer properly handled a new mother's rejected flexible working request to work from home. Ms Whiteman, a designer for a company that refurbishes commercial premises, requested to reduce her hours on her return from maternity leave after having twins. Her employer accepted her request. However, the employer turned down Ms Whiteman's request to work from home (apart from occasional office visits) and to do most of her work in the evenings (after 6pm). The employer considered that, although workin