Rising numbers of employees request flexible working

A travel law firm has reported a rise in employees in the sector seeking flexible working arrangements as a result of new legislation.

 

Since April 2024 employees have been able to request flexible working, including remote or hybrid arrangements, from day one of their employment.

 

TravLaw head of employment law Ami Naru told this year’s ABC Live recruitment and employment forum that the new law was resulting in more applications for flexible working but stressed firms did not appear to be overwhelmed by the number of requests.

 

She said: “The number of applications from employees is increasing.

 

“There was a bit of scaremongering that flexible working would be the default. It’s not, but employers have to be much more careful and deal with requests more reasonably.”

 

Employers are obliged to accept flexible working requests unless there is a genuine business reason not to.

 

If they decide not to agree to the request, they must consult with the employee on alternative options, and a decision must be made within two months of a request being made.

 

“It’s harder to reject applications,” said Naru, but she noted: “I think employers are on top of it now and more robust in their processes.”

 

Further changes proposed under the Employment Rights Bill, including day one unfair dismissal rights for employees, are under consultation and are not expected to be implemented until autumn next year.

 

The government has already rejected attempts in the House of Lords to amend the bill, which aims to increase worker protections. Naru added: “It is now a case of wait and see; I don’t think it [the bill] will be watered down too much.”