The Government has published a consultation seeking views on
proposals to expand and improve the flexible working
framework. In this briefing, we look at the proposals for
reform, as well as the changes that the Government has declined to
take forward. The consultation closes on 1 December
2021.
What is the consultation about?
The Government's
2019 manifesto committed to consult on making flexible
working arrangements the default save where employers had good
reasons not to permit them. On 23 September 2021, the
Government published a consultation entitled “Making Flexible
Working the Default”, setting out its proposals for
change.
The consultation opens with the statement that “A world
class approach to flexible working is a key part of the
Government's ambition to build back better”. It
highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that things can
be done differently in the workplace when we have to. The
Consultation says we have had our eyes
