(1) After the date on which an agreement referred to in section 21(1)(b)(i) is signed by the employer and the employee and prior to the expiration of the employee’s approved remote working arrangement, if any, the employee may by notice in writing signed by him or her and given to the employer, request to return to the original working arrangements that he or she held immediately before the approval of the remote working arrangement.

(2) The notice referred to in subsection (1) shall set out the reasons for the return to the original working arrangements and the proposed date for the return.

(3) An employer who receives a request referred to in subsection (1) shall -

(a) consider that request, having regard to his or her needs, the employee's needs and the code of practice, and

(b) as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 4 weeks after receipt of the request, by notice in writing, respond to the employee to inform him or her -

(i) that the request has been approved, or

(ii) that the request has been refused and of the reasons for the refusal.

(4) If the employer agrees to the early return to the original working arrangements but refuses to agree to the proposed date of return set out in the notice referred to in subsection (1), the response under subsection (3) from the employer shall propose an alternative date for the return.