In brief
Under the National Employment Standards, an employee who is the
parent, or has the responsibility for the care of a child who is of
school age or younger, is entitled to request a change to his/her
working arrangements because of those circumstances (e.g. changes
in hours of work, changes in patterns of work and working from
home).
What you need to know
The Fair Work Commission has confirmed that whilst an employee
with caring responsibilities is entitled to request a flexible
working arrangement, an employee is not entitled to demand such a
flexible work arrangement even in the most difficult of personal
circumstances.
In the case of Phillips v Integrated Medical Solutions Group
Pty Ltd [2019] FWC 6225 the employee had been employed as a
full-time medical clinic receptionist for approximately two
years.
