Employment law in Preston
Preston was transformed by the Industrial Revolution from a small town into a dense engineering hub with the textile industry at the centre of its economy. Now one of the major modern employers in the city is an aerospace manufacturer. Employment law is diverse, with how your working hours are structured being an area which could have a major impact on your overall employment contract.
Employment law in Preston, as across the country, has provisions for more flexible working practices that have become the norm for many businesses over the last few years. Full-time employment is still the norm, but with the introduction of the flexible working regulations, you now have the option - if you meet the criteria - to request more flexible working hours.
Generally, employment law allows you to ask for more flexible working if:
- You are fully employed and are not a contract or agency worker
- You have worked for your company for at least 26 weeks continuously
- You have not made an application for flexible working in the last year
It is important to note that employment law only gives you the right to make an application for flexible working. Your employer is not compelled to automatically give you the flexible working you ask for. They can make an assessment and refuse your request in some cases. If you feel that your request was reasonable, but your employer turned down your request, you can consider action including taking your employer to an employment tribunal.
If you do decide to use an employment tribunal, you need to fill in form ET1 that you can get from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Their offices in Preston can be located at Town Hall Annexe, Birley Street. After completing your form send it to your local employment tribunal office, which for employees based in Preston would be Manchester. Their offices are at: Alexandra House, 14-22 The Parsonage, Manchester, M3 1JA, telephone 0161 833 6100. Before you do, it is advisable to have contacted a Preston employment law solicitor.
All businesses in Preston should be fully aware of their responsibilities regarding the requests their employees might make for flexible working. Employment law is clear about how these requests should be handled. If you are in any doubt about your eligibility for flexible working, or if you think your employer refused your request for flexible working, but this breaks employment law, contact a solicitor, as they can advise you about your employment rights.
If you would like to obtain legal advice about workers’ rights, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist employment law solicitor in Preston free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local employment law solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.
