Checklist -Example of how to explain the grounds for a refusal

A manager in a small firm that manufactures curtains receives a request from an employee to not work on Thursdays. The manager declines the request as the weekly fabric delivery is received on Thursday and preparations begin for the following day’s despatch of customer orders. The explanation might say:

“I am sorry that I cannot grant your request to change the days that you work, but to allow you to not work on a Thursday would have a detrimental effect on the performance of the business.
“Thursday is our busiest day of the week, when all staff are required to ensure that the machinists can continue making curtains while stock is received, and finished curtains are packaged ready to be despatched the following morning. You are aware that on a Thursday morning we receive our weekly delivery of fabric. This requires the involvement of all staff to help move the material from the delivery bay into the storeroom, before the newly made curtains can be prepared for despatch the following morning.

“As I indicated when we met to discuss your request, if you decide to change the day you would prefer not to work to one earlier in the week, then I would be happy to reconsider your request.”

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