What new flexible working laws mean for employers

Employees have the right to ask to work flexibly from the first day in a new job following new laws coming into force. Before, the rule only applied if the person had worked for the business for at least 26 weeks.

The shake-up of flexible working rules is among a raft of employment law modifications that have come into effect this month.

Dorset-based law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors is urging employers to make sure they have procedures in place to meet the new legislation.

Before the new rules came into force, employees could previously make one request every 12 months to work part-time, term time, compressed hours and remotely. Now, under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, employees can ask for flexible working on day one of their new job and can make two requests in any 12-month period.

Kate Brooks, head of employment and HR services at Ellis Jones, has warned the onus is now on the employer, who must make a decision within two months and any refusal must be for one of eight prescribed reasons.

“Flexible working, particularly remote work