Day one right for flexible working requests

Following extensive consultation, it has been agreed that employees will be able to request the right to work flexibly from day one of their employment, under new government plans to make flexible working the default. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill aims to give employees greater access to flexibility over where, when and how they work.

Under the new law, which only gives the right to request, rather than the explicit right for the request to be granted, employers are required to consult with employees before rejecting their flexible working request. In addition workers have the right to make two requests in a 12-month period, where previously they could only make one.

There is no confirmed date yet as to when this will become effective but it is likely to be early in 2023. As always, 121 HR Solutions will confirm this when it is confirmed.