What is Flexible Working and How to Make a Request in the UK

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Миколаєнко Олена Василівна

Attorney

United Kingdom / England

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Publication date: 03.09.2025

Flexible working refers to adaptable work arrangements that allow employees to tailor their hours, location, or workload to suit personal needs. UK labour law guarantees employee rights UK to request flexible working. Legal Marketplace Consultant offers employment contract consultation and HR legal consulting to assist employees in preparing requests, conducting legal review employment contract, and developing a clear action plan for successful flexible working arrangements. Our services support all types of employment UK, including contract employment UK, fixed-term contract UK, and zero-hours contract.

Understanding Flexible Working

Flexible working encompasses various arrangements designed to balance work and personal life. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and updates in the Employment Rights Bill 2025, all employees with 26 weeks of service can request flexible working. For instance, your contract employment UK or fixed-term contract UK may allow you to request part-time hours or remote work. Legal review employment contract from Consultant ensures your rights are protected during the process.

Common forms of flexible working include:

• Part-time Work: Working fewer hours than a standard week.
• Remote Working: Performing duties from home or another location.
• Flexi-time: Choosing your start and end times within agreed limits.
• Compressed Hours: Completing full hours in fewer days.

UK labour law advice from Consultant helps assess whether flexible working suits your contract employment UK or zero-hours contract and guides you in making a request.

Who Can Request Flexible Working

UK labour law, including the Employment Rights Bill 2025, grants the right to request flexible working to employees with 26 weeks of service, across all types of employment UK. This includes:

1. Permanent employees with contract employment UK.
2. Workers on fixed-term contract UK, who may need flexibility due to temporary roles.
3. Individuals on zero-hours contract, if classified as "employees."
4. Self-employed individuals whose status aligns with contract employment UK, per Uber v Aslam (2021).

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, employment contract consultation from Consultant clarifies your status. Our legal review employment contract checks if your working arrangements UK support a flexible working request and identifies potential breaches.

How to Make a Flexible Working Request

Making a flexible working request follows strict guidelines under UK labour law. Employers must respond within 3 months (or 2 months from 2026 per Employment Rights Bill 2025). Here’s how to submit a request:

1. Write a Formal Request: Specify your desired changes (e.g., remote work or part-time hours), explain their impact on your role, and suggest solutions for the employer.
2. Submit to Your Employer: Send the request in writing (email or letter) to your manager or HR department.
3. Prepare for a Consultation: Employers may request a meeting to discuss your proposal. HR legal consulting from Consultant helps craft compelling arguments.
4. Receive a Response: Employers may approve, reject (with reasons), or propose a compromise.

If your request is unfairly denied, you can appeal to an Employment Tribunal. UK labour law advice from Consultant supports request preparation and challenges wrongful rejections.

Reasons for Rejection and How to Appeal

Employers can reject flexible working requests only for one of eight statutory reasons under UK labour law, such as:

• Additional costs to the business.
• Negative impact on performance or quality.
• Inability to reorganise work among other staff.

If the rejection seems unfair or lacks justification, you can file a claim with an Employment Tribunal within 3 months. Legal review employment contract from Consultant identifies breaches in your working arrangements UK that may support your claim. For example, rejecting a request due to childcare needs may breach the Equality Act 2010.

Benefits of Flexible Working for Employees

Flexible working offers significant advantages, enhancing work-life balance, particularly for workers on zero-hours contract or fixed-term contract UK. Employment contract consultation from Consultant helps evaluate how flexible working fits your needs and prepares a strong request.

Benefits of flexible working include:

• Improved Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules allow more time for family or personal commitments.
• Reduced Stress: Remote work or fewer hours alleviate workplace pressure.
• Increased Productivity: Employees often perform better with tailored schedules.

HR legal consulting from Consultant supports negotiations with employers to implement flexible working without compromising your employee rights UK.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flexible Working

How to Successfully Request Flexible Working

Review Your Contract: Order legal review employment contract from Consultant to assess your rights.

Seek Expert Advice: Use employment contract consultation to prepare your request.

Appeal Rejections: File a tribunal claim with HR legal consulting support.