Changes to the statutory flexible working regime

A recent survey by ACAS published on 28 March 2024 details that 43% of employers and 70% of employees are unaware of the upcoming changes to the statutory flexible working regime.

From 6 April 2024 the statutory scheme will change as follows:

• The right for an employee to make a flexible working request becomes a “day 1” right, before this date 26 weeks’ continuous employment was required.
• Removing the requirement for employees, in their written request, to set out what effect the proposed flexibility will have on the employer’s business and how any effect could be dealt with.
• Increasing the number of flexible working requests which can be made in any 12 month period from 1 to 2.
• Reducing the primary time period within which flexible working requests must be dealt with (including any appeal) from 3 months to 2 months.

ACAS has prepared a code of practice on requests for flexible working detailing the steps that employers should follow.