Consultation on extending flexible working rights confirmed

Edward Davey, Minister for Employment Relations, has confirmed that the Government will launch a consultation later this year on extending the right to request flexible working.

Edward Davey said:

“The Government are committed to extending the right to request flexible working to all employees, consulting with business on how best to do so.

“Parents of children under 17, or under 18 if the child is disabled, as well as carers of certain adults, already have the right to request flexible working, to help them balance their work and caring responsibilities.

"Extending this right to all employees will encourage more employees and employers to benefit from the flexible working, and make making a request more commonplace, removing the stigma attached to making a request.

“I will launch a consultation on the extension to the right to request flexible working later in the year.”

Workplace Law's Flexible Working factsheet outlines employers' current legal responsibilities when it comes to flexible working requests.