In accordance with The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023, with effect from 6 April 2024, all employees will have the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment. (Up until 6 April 2024, employees require 26 weeks’ service to be eligible to make a flexible working request).
Wider changes which are ‘expected’ to come into effect at the same time, as set out in the Employment Regulations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 (but not yet confirmed) include:
- Removing the requirement for employees, in their written request, to set out what effect the proposed changes would have on the business and how this could be dealt with.
- Increasing the number of flexible working requests which can be made in any 12-month period from one to two.
- Reducing the time period within which flexible working requests must be dealt with (including any appeal) from three months to two months.
For now, employers are advised to update their working policies ready to come into effect on 6 April 2024: firstly to remove the requirement for 26 weeks’ service and, once confirmed, to incorporate the other changes listed above.
If you require any assistance with drafting or updating your business policies, please contact 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be very happy to assist.