We are a retail store and one of our managers is seeking a permanent reduction in her working hours. She is employed on a full time basis but reduced hours have been facilitated for her for approximately 18 months to assist her recovery from treatment for breast cancer. She has requested that this reduction become a permanent working arrangement.

It is difficult to permit reduced working hours for management staff on a permanent basis, as we have a small management team who are required to cover 6-7 days’ trading per week, including late nights. Managers have struggled without her working full-time, and there is currently a recruitment ban within the company.

Can we insist on this manager returning to work