Despite raising concerns and using the employer’s grievance process, her agreed working pattern was not permanently restored. Speaking after the ruling, Ms Owens said she hoped the case would help other parents trying to balance work and caring responsibilities. Proper consideration of flexible working requests by employers can help them to retain experienced staff while supporting working parents. “The decision to move to a flexible working rota in this case was not made out of business need but presented as in the interests of fairness. Yet it proved to put Ms Owens at an unfair disadvantage and caused her unnecessary stress.”