{"id":9214,"date":"2024-03-08T03:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T03:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&p=9214"},"modified":"2026-03-20T16:27:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:27:48","slug":"new-flexible-working-request-rules","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-strategy\/flexible-working\/new-flexible-working-request-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"New flexible working request rules – what does HR need to know?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Laura Merrylees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes to statutory flexible working rights are due to come into force on 6 April 2024. Given the increased expectation of staff to be able to work flexibly, coupled with the right to request flexible working becoming a day-one right, employers should prepare for an increase in flexible working applications. In this article, we guide HR through the key changes and how employers can prepare<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is changing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Right to request flexible working becomes a day-one right<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All employees will have the statutory right to make a flexible working<\/a> application from day one of employment, removing the current 26-week service requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Number of flexible working applications increases to two per year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Employees will be able to make two applications in any 12-month period for a flexible work pattern, an increase from the current one application. However, employees will be allowed only one “live” request with the same employer, meaning that any first request must have been concluded before a second request is submitted. A request will be concluded if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n