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Flexible working: right to make a flexible working request becomes a day one right on 6 April 2024

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Flexible working: right to make a flexible working request becomes a day one right on 6 April 2024

The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023 have been laid before parliament and come into force on 6 April 2024. The regulations amend the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 so that the right to make a flexible working application becomes a day one right on 6 April 2024.  Until 5 April 2024, employees will continue to require 26 weeks’ continuous employment to make a request, but this requirement is removed on 6 April 2024.

We presume that the other flexible working reforms contained in the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 will also be commenced on that date, but we do not yet have a commencement order confirming this. These reforms will

  • Allow employees to make two flexible working applications every 12 months
  • Remove the requirement for employees to explain what effect they think their flexible working request will have on the employer
  • Require employers to consult with the employee before refusing their flexible working application
  • Require employers to respond to flexible working requests within 2 months

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