We keep hearing from you about issues with flexible working arrangements and leave.

We know that a lot of you use flexibility provisions to achieve a better work-life balance and manage commitments outside of work.

However, we’ve had reports that workers are being told that no fixed days are available or allowable regarding flexibility arrangements and, that’s simply not true.

Flexible working arrangements should be negotiated between a worker or a group of workers and management. Workers can make a request for any reason, and the employer must consider the application based on its merits and weigh it against operational demands.

There are special arrangements for workers who have children younger than school age, and this is particularly important when you’re returning from parental leave.

Workers shouldn’t be disadvantaged because there is an issue with staffing services adequately and we’re concerned that workers who have or need flexible working arrangements are being made to unfairly bear the brunt of staffing shortages.

The same applies to your leave. Your leave is an entitlement, and while the process of taking leave involves negotiation with your manager, there cannot be a blanket rejection of applications. Instead, management should directly discuss with you about alternatives if they cannot support your leave request. We understand that not all leave requests can be granted exactly as desired, but not being able to take any leave or facing arbitrary rules only worsens the situation.

We’re working to address these issues at a broader level, but we also want to support you in dealing with individual matters. Please get in touch if you want to have a chat about these issues or anything else.

Also keep your eye out for an update about the ramping enquiry soon.

For further information, please contact HACSU assist on 1300 880 032 or at assist@hacsu.org.au