Flexible working

Flexible working is now a central part of how many employers attract, retain and support their workforce, while responding to changing expectations around when, where and how work gets done. As legal rights and organisational practices continue to evolve, employers need clear frameworks for managing flexible working in a way that is practical, fair, consistent and compliant.

Handled well, flexible working can improve recruitment, retention and employee engagement, while supporting more inclusive and adaptable ways of working. Handled badly, it can create inconsistency, operational friction and legal risk—particularly where requests are assessed unfairly, policies are unclear or decisions are not properly justified.

This page brings together guidance and practical resources on flexible working, covering statutory requests, hybrid and remote working, compressed hours, part‑time arrangements and implementation in practice—helping employers assess options, respond fairly and build workable approaches with confidence.

Browse our full library of flexible working resources

Podcasts

Flexible working – tips to achieve best practice now

Gain expert flexible working advice from Charlotte Wiseman, covering workplace culture, policy development, and the future of work.

Tools & templates

Letter rescheduling flexible working request appeal meeting

Where a flexible working request appeal meeting needs to be rearranged, employers should communicate the change clearly and …

Tools & templates

Form for employee to submit flexible working request

A formal flexible working request process helps ensure requests are handled consistently, fairly and in line with statutory …

Tools & templates

Letter inviting employee to meeting to discuss request to return from maternity leave on part-time basis

Ensure a fair and consistent approach to maternity leave return requests with a letter template for discussing part-time …

Commentary and Insights

Employees stranded abroad: Five issues for employers

Learn how employers can manage workplace challenges when flight disruptions leave employees stranded or affect holiday plans.

Tools & templates

Permanent homeworking policy

Establish clear standards for permanent homeworking with a policy covering employee responsibilities, working arrangements and employer expectations.

Tools & templates

Flexible working requests policy

This policy sets out an organisation’s approach to handling flexible working requests submitted on or after 6 April …

Tools & templates

Hybrid working policy template for HR teams

Support effective hybrid working with our professional HR policy template. Easy to adapt for your organisation’s flexible working …

Employment law guide

Right to request flexible working

Explains the statutory right to request flexible working, including eligibility, how requests should be made, how employers must …

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