Flexible working request rules are changing
06 January 2023
Flexible working request rules are changing. The Government has published its response to the consultation on updating the flexible working laws, the highlights of which are as follows:
Employees will be able to request flexible working from day one rather than requiring 26 weeks service. However, they have emphasised it is a right to request, not a right to have.
- Employees will now be able to make two requests within a 12-month period rather than it be restricted to one request within a 12-month period.
- An employer must respond to any request to work flexibly within two months (previously three months).
- There will now be a duty to discuss alternatives to the request; although it is not clear whether this will be a statutory requirement or guidance.
- There will no longer be a duty on the employee to set out the effects the flexible working request may have on their employer. It is not yet clear if there will be further removal of red tape around the requirements of the request but it is anticipated that the procedure will be simplified.
- There will be no change to the eight reasons an employer can refuse a flexible working request.
- There is no timetable at present for these changes to be made however at least some of the changes (the number of requests and the response time) are anticipated sooner than later; we will update you when the timetable is announced.
Please do not hesitate to contact our employment team if you have any questions arising from flexible working requests or any other employment related queries by calling us on 01254 828300 or email us at enquiries@backhouses.co.uk.
You can find out more information about our employment team here.
