Part Time - Post Maternity Leave

[Mr Scruff]

I work for the UK arm of a Belgian company. When my wife goes back to work post maternity leave in March 2013 I've asked if I can drop to 4 days per week (with the accompanying drop in salary of course) in order to provide a day of childcare.

There's precedence for female members of staff (my boss initially came back to work 4 days post children and another colleage works 4 days), however it seems I'm the first male staff member to request this.

Can my employers decline my request on the grounds that it's an option only available to female staff members? Anyone ever been able to do this (or work in HR and have a perspective)? I've not had a negative response as yet but I have been told my request needs to be considered by European HR.

[davepoth]

In a nutshell, no, they can't discriminate on sex.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/F...

I'm sure someone more lawyerly will be along to confirm later, as soon as they get home from work.