Flexible working: Five things employers need to know

By KMC Human Resources

07 Sep 2016

The way we work in the UK has changed dramatically over the last ten years. Fuelled by the rise of digital technology and connectivity, the modern workplace is now a very different place and to coincide, employee attitudes to the way we work are also changing.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

The past few years in particular have seen flexible working grow significantly, with this way of working now being the norm for many workers. With one survey finding that over half of UK workers (55%) admitting that the option to work flexibly will be crucial when picking their next job, the trend towards flexible working is set to increase.

So what do employers need to know about flexible working rules and how can you make them work for your business?

What counts as flexible working?

Flexible working is any way of working that falls outside of the company ‘norm’. This can involve a change to the hours an employee works, the times they are required to work or their place of work.

Right to request

Any employee that has been working at an organisation for 26 continuous weeks has the right to request flexible working arrangements. Under law, employers must ‘seriously consider’ such requests and make a decision within three months of the receipt of the request (which should be made in writing by the employee). The only other stipulation to an employee’s rights here is that they can only make one flexible working request in any 12 month period.

Right to refuse

Employers have the right to refuse a request made by an employee for flexible working provided they have a valid business reason to do so. Inability to perform work duties, inability to meet customer demand, insufficient work during the proposed hours, a detrimental impact on other staff or an increased cost to the business could all potentially be ‘valid reasons’ to refuse a flexible working request.

Health and safety

A flexible working agreement with an employee may see them spending some of their time working from home. Employers still have health and safety obligations to employees working at their home and will therefore need to come up with a suitable way to risk assess their employees’ work stations. Employers should also consider the mental wellbeing of any staff that work away from the office along with any data protection implication for the business.

Maintain a level playing field

Despite the fact that employers can refuse flexible working requests, by doing so they will need to consider whether they have allowed or refused other similar requests made by other employees. Should any refusal be classed as discriminatory by an employee, they could make a formal complaint via the company’s grievance procedure or via the Acas arbitration scheme. They could also take their case to the employment tribunal, in which case any past precedent for accepting flexible working requests could potentially be used against you.

And finally, if you do agree to a request for flexible working, don’t forget to confirm the details in writing and update the employee’s Contract of Employment to reflect the change. For further advice in relation to flexible working requests or to develop policies and procedures surrounding flexible working in your business, please contact us. Any business that is new to KMC HR may claim a free one hour consultation.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin