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"Clear shortfalls" in an employer's available staffing levels, which were "well in excess of typical absences", provided a reasonable business ground to refuse an employee's flexible work request, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

The request was made by a Victoria Police first constable who worked in the transit safety division, based in Frankston.

In October last year, to accommodate his caring responsibilities, he asked to change his five rostered eight-hour shifts per week, to four 10-hour shifts, with Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays as permanent days off.

Following some discussion, the employer denied his request. It gave him a letter in February, stating its decision was "due to the required balance of [the employee's] needs against the operational and business needs of the workforce"...