13C.—(1) An employer who receives a request for a flexible working arrangement submitted in accordance with section 13B(6) shall—

(a) consider that request, having regard to his or her needs and the employee’s needs, and

(b) as soon as reasonably practicable but, subject to subsection (2), not later than 4 weeks after receipt of the request—

(i) approve the request, which approval shall include an agreement prepared and signed by the employer and employee setting out—

(I) the details of the flexible working arrangement, and

(II) the date of commencement and the duration of the flexible working arrangement,

(ii) provide a notice in writing informing the employee that the request has been refused and of the reasons for the refusal, or

(iii) where subsection (2) applies, provide a notice in writing to the employee that the employer has extended the 4 week period under this subsection for a further period specified in the notice.

(2) Where an employer is having difficulty assessing the viability of the request for a flexible working arrangement, the employer may extend the 4 week period referred to in subsection (1) by a further period not exceeding 8 weeks.

(3) When the agreement referred to in subsection (1)(b)(i) is signed by the employer and the employee, the employer shall retain the agreement and provide a copy of the agreement to the employee who shall retain it.]