Fiducia TogetherFlexible working
A day-one right to request a change to hours, times or place of work.
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.
What it means
Employees have a statutory right to request flexible working from day one of employment. Employers must deal with the request reasonably, consult, and decide within two months.
Why it matters
Refusal is only lawful on one of the specified statutory grounds, and the process matters as much as the outcome — most successful claims are about how the request was handled.
What it looks like in practice
Employees can make two requests in any twelve months. The employer must consult before refusing, which is a change from the previous regime.
What to watch out for
Refusing without genuinely considering, or refusing on a ground that does not fit the facts. And overlooking that a request connected to disability or caring may also engage discrimination law, where the threshold is different and higher.
Where to get proper advice
ACAS: free guidance, free templates and a free helpline. An employment solicitor for anything contested or senior.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.