Government Announces New Flexible Working Regulations Effective April 2024

The government has announced that new flexible working regulations will come into effect on 6 April 2024, giving employees the right to request flexible working arrangements from day one of employment. The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023 will apply to applications made on or after this date.

Under the current law, workers have to have been employed for at least 26 weeks before making a request to work flexibly. Flexible working can refer to working patterns or hours, including part-time, flexi-time, term time, compressed hours, adjusting start and finish times, as well as location, such as working from home.

The new regulations, part of wider changes made in the Act, will require employers to consult with the employee when they make a flexible working request before rejecting it. The time employers have to respond to a request will be reduced to two months, and employees will be able to make two requests within a 12-month period.

Experts advise employers to review their current flexible working policies and ensure they align with the new regulations. Upskilling managers to handle requests effectively and fostering a culture that values output over traditional working hours is also recommended.

However, there are concerns that the new regulations may lead to “fake flexibility” if requests are not granted. Employers are urged to clearly communicate the level of flexibility they can offer in job adverts to avoid misunderstandings.

Overall, businesses are encouraged to find ways to make flexible working requests work for both employees and the organization, considering genuine business requirements and the wellbeing of their staff. Acas will be publishing an updated statutory code of practice on requests for flexible working for employers to consult.