Topics

Right to request flexible working

New and updated

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Reform of the right to request flexible working

    In its response to its consultation on improving access to flexible working, published on 15 September 2026, the Government has narrowed down the timescale for bringing in these measures to “autumn 2027”.

  • Date:
    17 September 2026
    Type:
    News

    Managers must hold meeting with staff to explain flexible working decision

    Managers will be required to have a meeting with employees who request flexible working, according to Louise Haigh, first secretary of state. Speaking at the TUC conference this week, Haigh revealed that changes to flexible working legislation, due to take force in 2027, will require employers to "sit down with their employee, properly consider it and explain why".

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Right to request flexible working

    The Government has published its response to its consultation on reforms to the right to request flexible working under the Employment Rights Act 2025. It has confirmed that the changes are due to take effect in autumn 2027, with a revised draft code of practice to be published in early summer 2027.

  • Date:
    1 June 2026
    Type:
    Commentary and insights

    Summer 2026: Eight potential issues for HR

    HR professionals in the UK face some unique challenges and employment issues in the summer of 2026. These include increased uncertainty over workers' annual leave plans because of world events; public transport disruption leading to attendance issues; and a heatwave meaning that employers should monitor workplace temperatures to ensure that they do not become unreasonable. It is also a World Cup year, which brings its own specific problems around absence, holiday and conduct.

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Scotland: flexible working

    This guide sets out the differences between the law on flexible working in Scotland compared with the rest of Great Britain (England and Wales).

  • Date:
    4 July 2025
    Type:
    Commentary and insights

    Flexible working - the new default position for all? Key roundtable takeaways

    While many employers acknowledge that flexible working already is the new default way of working, in line with the Government's ambitions for the modern workforce, creating arrangements that meet the needs of both businesses and employees remains a challenge.

  • Date:
    21 January 2025
    Type:
    Commentary and insights

    Employment Rights Act 2025 essentials: Flexible working requests

    In the second part of a new series delving into the details of the Employment Rights Act 2025, we look at the proposed changes to the right to make a flexible working request.

  • Date:
    18 October 2024
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    Employment Rights Bill research 2024

    The first draft of the Employment Rights Bill was published on 10 October - just ahead of 100 days into the new Labour Government. We take an early look at how HR is reacting to the changes included in the Bill.

  • Type:
    Employment law cases

    Flexible working: Employment tribunal round-up

    We look at four recent employment cases brought over the mishandling of flexible working requests, including two where the tribunal found the employee had been constructively dismissed.

  • Type:
    How to

    How to deal with a request to return from maternity leave on a part-time basis

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

About this topic

HR and legal information and guidance relating to the right to request flexible working.