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Agreeing to the requested extension (3) The employer must give the employee a written response to the request stating whether the employer grants or refuses the request. The response must be given as soon as practicable, and not later than 21 days, after the request is made. (4) The employer may refuse the request only on reasonable business grounds. (5) If the employer refuses the request, the written response under subsection (3) must include details of the reasons for the refusal. Special rules for employee couples (6) The following paragraphs apply in relation to a member of an employee couple extending a period of unpaid parental leave in relation to a child under this section: (a) the request must specify any amount of unpaid parental leave and unpaid special maternity leave that the other member of the employee couple has taken, or will have taken, in relation to the child before the extension starts; (b) the period of the extension cannot exceed 12 months, less any period of unpaid parental leave or unpaid special maternity leave that the other member of the employee couple has taken, or will have taken, in relation to the child before the extension starts; (c)