The UK government has this week responded to the Making Flexible Working The Default consultation.  The headline-grabbing announcement is that they are proposing to remove the 26-week qualifying period before employees can make a flexible working request. Instead, it will be a day one right allowing employees to request flexible working on their first day of employment.

In addition to this, the government has announced other measures including:

• a requirement for employers to consult with their employees, as a means of exploring the available options, before rejecting a flexible working request
• allowing employees to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period (up from one currently)
• requiring employers to respond to requests within two months, down from three
• remove the requirement for employees to set out how the effects of their flexible working request might be dealt with by their employer

The day one right to request flexible working will be delivered through secondary legislation. The other policies will become law through primary legislation. We will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation as it moves through Parliament.

If your business needs further expert analysis or advice on managing flexible working requests from employees, then please contact one of our team of specialist employment lawyers.