# FLEXIBLE WORKING REFUSAL LETTER
Date: 22 August 2034
Parties: Mina Patel and Alder Systems Ltd
## 1. Purpose and parties
Alder Systems Ltd writes to Mina Patel on 22 August 2034 about her statutory flexible-working application dated 1 July 2034. Mina has worked as a full-time customer implementation manager since 4 September 2028 and asked to work Monday to Thursday, 8:30 to 18:00, with Friday off, and to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays from 1 October.
## 2. Facts, scope and terms
The company met Mina on 9 July and 5 August, considered her written explanation and reviewed the implementation rota, customer commitments and comparable arrangements. This letter is the written decision within the applicable two-month decision period; it is not a criticism of Mina's performance, commitment or need to manage family responsibilities.
## 3. Process and responsibilities
The request is refused for the statutory ground that it would have a detrimental effect on the ability to meet customer demand. Six of Alder's 18 implementation customers require Friday go-live support, and the proposed pattern would leave only one trained manager available on Fridays. The company considered rotating cover, recruitment, Tuesday-to-Friday hours and a trial, but could not resource them by 1 October without cancelling confirmed appointments.
## 4. Evidence, records and safeguards
The evidence relied on is the rota for 1 September–31 October, the confirmed appointment list dated 30 July and staffing records showing that two managers are on approved leave for three Fridays in October. The refusal is based on the proposed working pattern, not on remote work generally. Alder will reconsider if the customer calendar or staffing changes, and will consider a fresh statutory application.
## 5. Review, escalation and outcome
Alder apologises that it cannot approve the requested arrangement. It offers instead a non-statutory temporary arrangement from 1 October to 31 December: Mina may work remotely on Mondays, may start at 8:30 on other days, and may swap one Friday each month with 10 working days' notice if customer cover is confirmed. This alternative is voluntary and does not replace the refusal decision.
## 6. Reservations and practical protections
Mina may appeal in writing to HR Director Owen Hughes by 5 September, setting out why the decision or evidence should be reconsidered. An appeal meeting will be arranged promptly and a written outcome given; Mina may be accompanied where the company procedure permits. She may also raise a discrimination or detriment concern through HR, without retaliation.
## 7. England and Wales law and completion
This completed fictional letter records a decision under the Employment Rights Act 1996 flexible-working provisions and does not remove any Equality Act 2010 duty to consider reasonable adjustments. Alder will keep the application and decision confidential, retain it in accordance with its retention policy, and review the operational position on 1 December 2034.