Making Flexible Working the Default

This consultation seeks views from individuals and businesses on proposals to reform flexible working regulations (The Flexible Working Regulations 2014). In 2003, legislation came into force which provided parents and certain other carers with a right to request a flexible working arrangement, which covers work location, working hours and working pattern. In 2014, this right to request a flexible working arrangement was extended to all employees with 26 weeks continuous service. This consultation seeks to go further, and the proposals within would affect both employers who receive flexible working requests and individuals who are looking to change their contracted working arrangements. The territorial extent of these proposals extends to England, Wales, and Scotland. Employment law is devolved to Northern Ireland.