Flexible Working Employment Law Changes 2024. Currently, employees who have 6 months service or more can formally request a different working pattern, reduced hours or to work from home. 

• The employee is required to specify how they think their request will impact upon the business. 
• Their employer has three months to consider and respond to their request.
• Their employer does not currently have to formally consult with the employee about their request however they must give objective business reasons if they cannot support it.
• The employee has the right of appeal against the outcome of their request.
• The employee can only make one request for flexible working each year.

A new statutory code will be implemented with effect from 6th April with the following changes:

• Right to request flexible working from day 1 of employment
• The employee no longer has to specify what impact their request will have upon the business
• The employer has two months to respond to the request
• The employer has to consult with the employee whilst they are considering their request and prior to rejecting their request
• The employee no longer has the right of appeal
• The employee can make two requests per year

Employers need to update their Flexible Working Policy and be prepared for an increase in the number of flexible working requests and plan for the additional workload this may cause.

If you need any help with this, please get in touch.