3 August 2023

Upcoming changes to flexible working requests

By James Eden, Solicitor, Hayes + Storr.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill received Royal Assent last month which will bring in changes to the process when an employee makes a flexible working
request.

When the law comes into force, an employee will be entitled to make two requests in any 12 month period (currently it is one). The employee will also no longer be required to explain what effect any request may have on the employer.

The time for an employer to make a decision about any request will be reduced from three to two months and an employer will not be able to refuse a request unless the employee has been consulted.

There is no mention of the current requirement for an employee to have at least 26 weeks’ continuous employment before making a flexible working request being changed in the new law. However it is expected that the Government may remove this requirement via secondary legislation at a later date so that the right to request flexible working will become a ‘day one’ right.

It is expected that the changes to flexible working will come into force in approximately a years’ time to give employers time to prepare.

If you have any questions on this or any other employment matter, please contact James Eden on 01328 863231 or email james.eden@hayes-storr.com.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.