4. Roles and responsibilities
4.1 Heads of Institution, line managers where the flexible working request procedure is delegated to them, and all those responsible for appointing staff:
4.1.1 Must ensure that every flexible working request is given serious consideration in accordance with this Policy, approaching meetings with an open mind and not discriminating unlawfully in relation to any of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010.
4.1.2 Must consider any flexible working requests in connection with disabilities in line with the University's legal obligations on making reasonable adjustments.
4.1.3 Should ensure that staff are permitted to be accompanied at meetings as set out in this Policy.
4.1.4 Are encouraged to routinely consider how certain duties in their department can be covered on a part-time basis or divided up in different ways when reviewing a job vacancy or assessing the workload of the department or of an individual role.
4.2 All staff making a flexible working request:
4.2.1 Should ensure that they have read this Policy before making a statutory flexible request.
4.2.2 Must provide the key information set out in section 7.2 of this Policy.
4.3 Members of the relevant HR Business Partnering Team, and staff responsible for HR in their area:
4.3.1 Should provide advice and guidance on the statutory procedure for flexible working requests.
4.3.2 Should assist as necessary with the procedure, including attending the consultation meeting, if required, to discuss the flexible working request and/or the appeal meeting to discuss any appeal.
4.4 In this Policy, the following terms are defined as:
4.4.1 ‘Head of Institution’: Heads of Departments and of other academic Institutions, Chairs of Faculty Boards not divided into Departments, and the administrative Heads of Institution.
4.4.2 ‘Institution’: all academic and academic-related departments, including administrative units, libraries, museums, and any other individual sections or units of the University.
4.4.3 ‘Staff member’: all University employees (including academic staff), but not workers.