Workers’ rights
Flexible working laws for businesses
Does your business employ people? If the answer is ‘yes’, you need to change how you manage flexible working requests from your employees. All employees have the legal right to request flexible working – not just parents and carers.
Employees can make a statutory request to make permanent changes to their contract from their first day of employment. This means that from day one, they can ask an employer for changes to how long, when and where they work.
Employees can also make two requests in any twelve-month period, rather than the previous one request.
In addition, you are now required to make a decision on the request within two months of receiving it.
Should you feel unable to accept the request, you need to consult with your employee.
The changes also mean that your employee no longer has to explain what effect, if any, the flexible working request would have on your organisation and how it could be overcome.
As an employer, you must manage these requests in a reasonable manner. You can only reject a request for one of eight business reasons, check the reasons for rejecting a request here.
What is flexible working?
Job sharing
Two (or more) people doing one job and splitting the hours.
Remote working
Working from anywhere other than a permanent office (for example, from home).
Hybrid working
A combination of working remotely and in the employer’s workspace.
Part time
Working less than full-time hours (usually by working fewer days).
Compressed hours
Working full-time hours but over fewer days (for example, a 9-day fortnight).
Flexitime
The employee chooses when to start and end work (within agreed limits) but works certain ‘core hours’ (for example 10am to 4pm every day).
Annualised hours
The employee works a certain number of hours over the year but they have flexibility about when they work. There are sometimes ‘core hours’ which the employee regularly works each week, and they work the rest of their hours flexibly or when there’s extra demand at work.
Staggered hours
The employee has different start, finish and break times from other workers.
Predictable hours or set shift patterns
The employee has set hours they work instead of hours that may change week to week or day to day. It may be set hours for a whole week or part of a week.
Phased retirement
Default retirement age has been phased out and older workers can choose when they want to retire. This means they can reduce their hours and work part time.
Flexible working at Bluestone National Park Resort
Stuart Davies-Jaynes and Laura Walters tell us how flexible working at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire has helped them attract and retain workers.
Steps your business can take to support flexible working
Download resources to use in your job advert
If you are employing people you can use this strapline and logo in your job advert to show you are happy to talk about flexible working.
workingfamilies.org.uk
Download a business case for flexible working
It outlines the benefits flexible working can bring to your organisation and your employees.
cipd.org
Find out how flexible working can help you
If you are an employee you can learn more about flexible working
jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk
Other guidance and support
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus can offer a wide range of advice and tailored solutions for employers throughout the recruitment process.
gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Advice from Acas
Acas provides advice on employment law, HR processes and good practice at work for employers in England, Scotland and Wales.
acas.org
Menopause and the workplace
Resources for employers and their workers who are seeking menopause-related guidance.