There have been recent changes to flexible working requests and it is important that you know the rules…
From 6th April 2024, any employee can make a request for flexible working from the first day of their employment, and will no longer have to explain the reason for the request. The request must be in writing and state that it is a statutory request. An employee can make up to 2 requests in any rolling 12 month period.
Flexible working includes the following:
- Remote working/working from home
- Hybrid working
- Part Time Working
- Compressed hours
- Flexitime
- Annualised hours
- Staggered hours
A request can only be turned down for one (or more) of the following reasons:
- The burden of additional costs
- The work cannot be organised amongst other staff
- People cannot be recruited to do their work
- Flexible working will affect quality and performance
- The business will not be able to meet customer demand
- There is a lack of work to do during the proposed times for flexible working
- The business is planning changes to the workforce
Employers must give serious consideration to any request for flexible working and must consult with the employee before advising them of any decision if they refuse the request. They will be required to justify their reasons for refusing flexible working. Therefore, an employer should make sure they have as much evidence as possible to support any decision. The decision must be reached within 2 months of the date of the request.
If you have received a request for flexible working, and are concerned how to deal with it, then please contact us and we can put you in touch with our HR Associate, Debbie Glinnan.
