What’s changing for flexible working rights?

There have been many headlines recently about the changes to flexible working that will benefit millions, but what has actually happened? So the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act received Royal Assent on 20 July 2023 and when it becomes law the current flexible working rights will be extended. The changes include:

1. All workers will be able to request flexible working patterns from the first day of their employment, rather than having to wait 26 weeks as currently.
2. All workers will be able to make up to two statutory requests for flexible working per year, rather than the current single annual application.
3. Employers will have to consult and consider the request reasonably, providing a response within two months, instead of the current three month period.
4. ACAS will be updating their Code of Practice for handling flexible working requests.

It is important to be aware of these changes and consider them in your workplaces, particularly as CIPD research suggests that 12% of employees left their professions due to a lack of flexibility, with a further 6% changing jobs because of a lack of flexibility. Please contact us if you need help managing flexible working requests or updating your policies.