Family-friendly rights and policies | FAQs | HR Tools

In which circumstances is an employee entitled to receive statutory paternity pay?

Updated to reflect that the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the qualifying service requirement for statutory paternity leave, but not for statutory paternity pay.

Are employees entitled to be paid their full contractual pay on keeping-in-touch days?

Updated to reflect the increase to the statutory maternity pay rate from 6 April 2025.

What should an employer do if an older employee requests to change their working pattern in preparation for retirement?

Updated to reflect changes to the right to request flexible working in place from 6 April 2024, including a requirement to consult with the employee.

What is a statutory flexible working request?

Updated to reflect changes to the right to request flexible working in place from 6 April 2024, including that it is now a day-one right.

What is the time limit within which an employer must respond to a request for flexible working?

Updated to reflect that the time limit for requests made on or after 6 April 2024 is reduced to two months.

Can employees make as many requests for flexible working as they wish?

Updated to reflect that, from 6 April 2024, employees can make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period.

Which employees are eligible for the statutory right to request flexible working?

Updated to reflect that the right to request flexible working is a day-one right from 6 April 2024.

How should an employer respond to a request for flexible working?

Updated to reflect changes to the process for dealing with statutory flexible working requests, in place from 6 April 2024.

Is there any right of appeal where an employer rejects an application for flexible working?

Updated to reflect that, from 6 April 2024, employers must inform the employee of their decision on a flexible working request within two months.

Where an employee about to go on maternity leave requests to return on reduced hours, must the employer consider their request at that point?

Updated to reflect changes to the right to request flexible working in place from 6 April 2024, including that the employer must respond within two months.

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