The draft ‘Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working’ takes into account imminent new flexible working laws due to come into force in 2024 and significantly extends the current Code.
Flexible working can include not just working from home, or between home and office on a hybrid basis, but job-sharing, flexi-time, coming in or leaving work earlier or later, working through lunch breaks, and not working Mondays or Fridays - all either on a permanent or temporary basis.
Under the new laws employees will be able to make two requests for flexible working within a 12-month period (only one is allowed currently). The procedure for making a request will be simplified so that employees will no longer have to set out how switching to flexible working might affect their employer.
The government also says employers intending to refuse a request will have to discuss alternative forms of flexible working with the employee making the request. For example, if an employer cannot accommodate leaving work earlier every day, it may be possible on certain days.
Operative date
- Now
Recommendation
- Employers should check out the draft Code of Practice on the Acas website.
This article from Atom Content Marketing is for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. Atom Content Marketing, expert contributors and ICAEW (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.
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