change in working hours

[TEAK36]

Hi just a question for a friend.

If an employee returns to work after maternity leave and spends the next 2 years working her requested part time hours, but now decides that she would like to increase her working hours, can employers legally refuse this request?

Basically, my friend currently works 2 full days per week, but would now also like to work the other 3 days on the mornings only, but is not sure if her employer would agree to this.Does she have any legal rights to request this sort of thing?

[Ethel]

She has the right to ask, but she can't demand it. If there is not enough work then the employer can't be expected to pay her for extra hours he does not need.

She will have to ask her employer - he may be delighted!