The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 has completed its way through parliament and now awaits Royal Assent.
The new Act has been designed to make it easier for staff to appeal for a more flexible approach to working patterns from day one of employment.
Among the key changes, the new legislation will mean:
- Employees being able to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period.
- Requests have to be dealt with by employers within two months (previously three months).
- Employers are not able to refuse a request until they have ‘consulted’ with the employee.
- Employees will no longer have to explain how a flexible working request might impact the employer.
Employers need to be aware of these changes to ensure they comply with the rules around statutory flexible working requests.
If you’d like advice in relation to the new Act and how it may affect your business, contact Natalie Saunders on 0800 988 7756, email nsaunders@levisolicitors.co or make an enquiry on our contact form, and we’ll get back to you.