Applying the Law to Work




Scenario with facts

Linh Hui is a full time Information Officer answering a busy phone line

one morning her husband of 17 years got on his bicycle and never returned

she’s left with two teenage children and one diagnosed with Crohn’s disease

she meets with her Manager to discuss her request for flexible part time

Joan Politis is a full time Manager of four employees including Ms Hui

the meeting is scheduled after the phone line closes for the day 
Scenario with dialogue

Joan    the phone will be ringing    ringing    ringing

            into the space you’ve abandoned

            taking your voice with you

            leaving the caller stranded

Linh    stranded is my husband’s chair

Joan    your chair cannot be filled

Linh    my son’s plate cannot be filled

Joan    deal with the crumbs

            thrown from above

Linh   from above

            the scattering has stopped

            from below I throw

            section 19 (1)

Joan    I throw back

            section 19 (2)
Formula for subsections (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (i) (ii) (iii) (g) (h)

The law attempts outrage with must not deny a reasonable request 

Finance throws burning wallets – – – – – – budgets deliver the goals
A small department develops a hierarchy of tormented minds

One consultant is overpaid to design a team-building exercise
Result

Meetings are scheduled after the phone line closes for the day

17 years of sleepless nights multiply to one morning’s goodbye

one child refuses to set the alarm while the other rejects breakfast

Linh’s request for flexible work contorts to a performance review

Joan Politis is an Executive of three employees excluding Linh Hui

Ms Hui is a full time Information Officer answering a busy phone line
Flexible work arrangements to accommodate parental responsibilities are enshrined in the Equal Opportunity Act, 2010 Victoria.

There are sub-sections in the Act the employer can use to refuse employee requests.

Although this type of situation occurred, the names are made up.