The new Flexible Working Bill is set to come into force from Spring 2024. This means that employees will now be legally entitled to request flexible working arrangements from day one of their employment. Allowing employees to request part-time, term-time, flexitime, compressed hours and varied working locations.

What should I be aware of as an employer?

Employers must be aware of the following changes when the Flexible Working Bill comes into effect:

• You must give a specific reason for denying a request for flexible working. Previously you did not have to provide any reasoning for denying a request.
• You must respond to a request within two months of submission, previously the time limit was 3 months.

What should I be aware of as an employee?

Employees should be aware of the following changes when the Flexible Working Bill comes into effect:

• As an employee you’ll be able to make two requests for flexible working within a 12-month period, this was previously limited to one request.
• As an employee you no longer need to explain the impact your request for flexible working will have on the company.
• You need to be aware that your employer doesn’t have to accept your request for flexible working, however they must speak to you explaining their reasons for denying or accepting your request.

What are the benefits of the Flexible Working Bill for employers?

Offering flexible working is a massive draw in attracting top talent, with many job seekers now expecting flexible working as the norm. Flexible working can reduce employee turnover and create a more engaged workforce, through creating a better work life balance for employees.

How to prepare for the Flexible Working Bill?

To ensure your team is prepared for the changes in the Flexible Working Bill you should review your working policies and train managers on how to handle requests for flexible working. You should evaluate which job roles in your organisation could benefit from flexible arrangements and put into place a plan that shows how job sharing, remote work and compressed working hours could work.