Flexible Working Requests by Employees -
Services at Lawson-West Solicitors

Flexible Working Requests – how Lawson-West, Solicitors, can help

There is no automatic right to flexible working. However, certain employees with caring responsibilities do have the right to request to work flexibly. The employee making the flexible working request has the responsibility to consider the impact of their proposed work pattern on the employer’s business.

Currently only parents of children under the age of 6 or disabled children under the age of 18 and employees with adult dependants are able to make flexible working requests. From April 2009, this will be extended to parents of children up to the age of 16.

Employees with caring responsibilities can request:

  • a change to the hours they work.
  • a change to the times they are required to work.
  • to work from home.

Employers do not have to agree to an employee working flexibly if there is a sound business reason for not granting the request. However, there is a procedure to follow:-

  • The employer has to meet with the employee to discuss the request. The employee is entitled to bring a colleague to the meeting.
  • Within 14 days of the meeting, the employer has to write to the employee to either agree a new work pattern and give a start date or to provide sound business reason(s) for not granting the request.
  • The employee has the right to appeal within 14 days.

In specific circumstances, an employee could take their claim to an employment tribunal. The employer will have to demonstrate that they have followed the procedure correctly and have a sound business reason for rejecting the request.

If you have had a request from an employee for flexible working and are concerned about the impact it will have on your business, contact Lara Scott or Ashley Hunt on 0116 212 1000 now or complete the form below for free initial advice.

Flexible Working Form

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