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In the UK, flexible working legislation provides employees with the right to request changes to their working arrangements. The key aspects of this legislation is designed to support better work-life balance, improve accessibility to jobs, and accommodate personal or family needs.
Previously, employees had to have worked for an employer for 26 weeks before they could request flexible working arrangements.
From April 2024 the legislation changed to make this a right to request flexible working from the very first day of employment.
Employees are no longer required to provide a specific reason for their request for flexible working. This makes the process less formal and potentially easier for employees to navigate. TKAT are required to respond to flexible working requests within two months (down from three months). Employees can request flexible working up to two times per year.
The changes to the law create a greater emphasis on work life balance and that flexible working arrangements will become a standard part of working life, not just an exception for special cases.
What Can Flexible Working Look Like
What Can Flexible Working Look Like
To support with elder care be that family, friends or neighbours
A transition to retirement when you don't just want to go from full time to simply no longer working.
Better work life balance
Caring for Children or Grandchildren
Caring for Pets
Pursuing other hobbies and interests
Enabling you to remain in the workplace and manage a long term health condition
These are just some of the many reasons you might want to look at how you work.
Flexible working can take many forms and the following are example types of flexible working arrangements:
Part Time working patterns relating to working days or hours
9 day fortnight
Compressed hours - completing full time hours over 4 days
Later start or finish time on specific days
Term time only
Working from home
Hybrid working
Job sharing
There may be many reasons or times in your career that you may wish to consider flexible working approaches.
How can I start a conversation about my desire for flexible working?
Initially you may want to consider meeting with your line manager to discuss informally your request for a different work pattern/ approach. In order to prepare for the conversation you may want to prepare to specifically discuss your request in terms of what you are requesting and any alternatives that you would consider.
How to start a conversation template - need to be developed.
Flexible working policy can be accessed here within the TKAT Policy Index.
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