06 Sep Considering a Flexible Working Application: 10 Things to do

There are 10 things for a manager to consider when agreeing or rejecting a flexible working application. Let’s dig in.

1. Employees with 26 weeks of service have the legal right to request flexible working once in 12 months.

2. Managers should read and follow your organisation’s flexible working policy.

3. It’s helpful if managers also read the ACAS Code of Practice on handling flexible working requests reasonably.

4. Pay attention to timescales. For example, applications from receipt to appeal must be concluded with three months – this is a legal requirement.

5. The flexible working application includes:

• the date of the request
• the changes the employee is seeking 
• what impact the proposed changes may have on service delivery
• whether the employee made a previous flexible working request.

Once the manager receives the request, they should meet with the employee within the policy timescale and certainly as soon as possible. If the proposal is agreed on, a meeting may not be required; however, it is prudent to discuss how the arrangements will work in practice and agree on a date to review the new agreements and confirm in a letter.

7. If a meeting is required, employees have the right to be accompanied by a work colleague or trade union representative and advance notice of the meeting.

8. At the meeting, the manager should discuss the employee’s request – this is also an opportunity to discuss any modifications to the request. For example, ‘I can’t agree to you working 8-4 every day of the week. However, the service can accommodate you working 8-4 four days a week.

9. Consider the application thoroughly and fairly. If an application is rejected, it must be for legal business reasons. The manager who considered the application must inform the employee of their decision in writing.

10. Lastly, an employee has the right to appeal the decision and, the manager who considered the request should provide details of how to appeal in their written decision.

Those are the 10 points to consider when agreeing or rejecting a flexible working application. 

Have a great week, and remember to be HR-wise!t