Newsletter Autumn 2014

Flexible boost for business?

Flexible working is seen as a benefit to business because it encourages better relationships with employees, contributing to staff motivation and reduced absenteeism.

The Flexible Working Regulations 2014 extends the right of employees to request to work flexibly from 30 June 2014. Prior to this change, the right to request only applied to parents of children under the age of 17 (or 18 if the child is disabled) and certain carers.

The basic eligibility conditions for an employee have not changed and are as follows:

• the worker has been employed for a minimum of 26 weeks and
• only one request for flexible working has been made in a 12 month period.

An employer has the right to refuse a request but requests must be handled in a reasonable manner and can only be rejected where there are sound business reasons.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) have published a Code of Practice designed to help employers understand the changes and help them handle requests reasonably. However, if you require any more information do contact us.