Flexible Working – What Has Changed?

Flexible working isn't a new concept. However, from 4 April 2024 the law has changed in an attempt to simplify the process for both employees and employers.

What was the position before 4 April 2024?

• Only employees with continuous service of 26 weeks or more could make a request under the statutory scheme.
• Employees had to specifically set out the impact of the proposed change on the employer, and how this change could be managed.
• The employer had to acknowledge the request within a three month period and if the request was rejected, the employer had to provide one or more statutory reasons why it was refused.
• Only one request every 12 month was permitted.
• An employer was entitled to reject the request quoting one or more of the eight statutory reasons: