we have a member of staff returning to work after maternity leave who has requested a 4 day week and shorter hours for those 4 days.   We have compromised by agreeing to a 4 day week, but are unable to agree to shorter hours because we need the office to be fully covered on those days. 

Are we in danger of discriminating against this employee who says she needs to leave earlier in order to collect her child from the childminder?  It really would cause us great difficulty in running this department if we agree to the shorter hours.  Do other staff arrangments have a bearing in this case? She is quoting that other staff have agreed changes in the past and do not have small children to care for.

Any advice would be welcome.