Requesting Flexible Working

By David Coward

From April 2024 various changes were made to the statutory working request procedure, in particular, enabling employees to make a request from the first day of their employment rather than having to wait until they have been employed for at least 26 weeks.

The three types of change that can be requested remain the same as before, namely:

• A change to the number of hours worked.
• A change to the times when the employee is required to work.
• A change to the place of work.

The other changes introduced have the effect of making it easier for employees to work flexibly so that employees are no longer required to have to explain what effect the changes will have on the employer, and employers will not be permitted to refuse a request unless they have consulted the employee.  The time for an employer to make a decision has also been reduced from three to two months, although the parties can agree a longer period if they wish.

Notwithstanding the changes, the overall position remains the same in that the right is a right to make a request for flexible working - a request that an employer can refuse if they have one of the specified good business reasons for doing so.

For further information on this or other employment law issues please contact David Coward at Sampson Coward on 01722 410664 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

David Coward