Glossary · UK

What is Flexible Working Request?

A statutory right allowing employees to ask their employer to change their hours, working pattern or location of work.

Full Definition

A flexible working request is the legal route by which an employee asks to vary how, when or where they work -- for example reduced hours, compressed weeks, remote or hybrid working, or staggered start times. Since 2024 it is a 'day-one' right in the UK: an employee can make a request from the first day of employment, can make up to two requests in any 12-month period, and the employer must deal with each request in a reasonable manner, usually within two months. An employer may only refuse for one of the statutory business reasons, such as cost, inability to reorganise work or detrimental impact on performance. Flexible working matters because it can affect take-home pay (fewer hours mean lower gross earnings and reduced National Insurance) and pension contributions. It also supports parents, carers and disabled workers. There is no fee and no figure attached to making a request.