The changes to the rules on flexible working have been confirmed to come into force on Saturday 6 April 2024.
You will need to make sure your HR Policies are updated for it.
By way of a reminder, the relevant changes are:
1. Employees will be able to make two (not one) flexible working requests in any 12 month period.
2. Requests will have to be dealt with by employers within two (not three) months of receipt of a request if no extension is agreed.
3. Employers will not able to refuse a request until they have ‘consulted’ with the employee.
4. Employees will no longer, in their application, have to explain what effect the employee thinks agreeing to the request would have and how any such effect might be dealt with.
The changes are set out in the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023.
Also, make sure to remember that the separate Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023 make the right to request flexible working a ‘day one’ right (previously 26 weeks).