Flexible working update

1. Employees will be able to make 2 flexible working requests in any 12-month period (currently 1)
2. You have to deal with requests within 2 months of receipt (although you can agree an extension if necessary)
3. You can't refuse a request without consultation with the employee (although there’s no guidance as to what that consultation looks like in terms of duration)
4. Employees will no longer have to explain what effect they think their request will have and how to mitigate those effects

As things stand the changes will not make flexible working requests a day 1 right, employees will still need 26 weeks’ service (although the Government has said there will be other day 1 changes coming). There’s also no legal requirement to offer an appeal if you reject a request (although ACAS Code of Practice on Flexible Working still suggests this is good practice).

As soon as we know the date for these changes, we’ll update our flexible working policy and corresponding forms and letters. If you’re a retained client you don’t need to do anything as these will get sent to you. If you are not a HR Toolbox retained client and you would like some support on flexible working, or any other HR matters, please contact us.