Flexible Working - the Right to Ask
Employment Guideline
Employees seeking a better balance between the demands of work and personal life may seek a change in their working arrangements – for example by part-time working, job-sharing or a change in working hours. While there is no right to insist on working on different terms, there is a statutory right to ask for a flexible working arrangement and to have that request seriously considered.
In June 2014 the right to make such a request was extended to all employees with at least 26 weeks’ service (not just those with
caring responsibilities). The new regime is supported by a statutory ACAS Code of Practice and an ACAS Guide.
This Inbrief summarises the right to ask for flexible working and also explains how discrimination law applies in this context.