Flexible working consultation

On 23 September 2021, the Government launched a consultation entitled ‘Making Flexible Working the Default’.  The consultation seeks views on a set of proposals which are built around the principle that working arrangements are best decided through a constructive, open-minded discussion between employer and employee.   The consultation seeks views on the following:

• The introduction of a right to request flexible working from day one of employment
• Whether to reduce the current 3-month timescale for considering flexible working requests
• Whether the limit of one flexible working request per year is still the best balance between individual and business needs
• Requiring employers to suggest alternatives where an employee’s request cannot be accommodated
• Whether the eight business reasons for refusing a request for flexible working remain valid
• Introducing one week’s unpaid leave for carers balancing a job with caring responsibilities

The consultation runs until 1 December 2021, and can be found here.