THE right to make a request for flexible working has now been extended to all employees after 26 weeks’ service.
The new rules came into effect on June 30.
The MDDUS employment law advisory team have drafted a template policy incorporating the changes which can be downloaded here
ACAS has also published a new version of its employers’ code of practice, removing the old statutory provisions. Rather than set timescales, the new code states that an employer has an obligation to consider requests in a reasonable manner and outlines good practice examples.
The new code says requests should be responded to and the process completed within three months and that any meetings should take place as soon as possible. A copy of the new code can be found here.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.