The government has recently published its response regarding updating flexible working laws. The aim is to encourage flexible working where appropriate.
- Employees will have the right to request flexible working from day 1 (currently only available to those with 26 weeks continuity). This is a right to request, not a right to have flexible working.
- Employees will be allowed to make two requests within a year (rather than one).
- Employers will need to respond within 2 months (currently 3).
- The procedure for requests will be simplified.
- The employer will need to consult with their employees and discuss available options, before rejecting the flexible working request.
- The eight business reasons for refusing a request will still be valid.
This is not law yet, but we expect it will become law within the next 12 months.
Should you have any questions or queries around flexible working, please contact one of the team at Bradshaw Trees Law, for advice. Email [email protected]
Making flexible working the default: government response to consultation (publishing.service.gov.uk)