Flexible working

The government has set up a consultation process to look at how it can make it easier for employers to deal with flexible working. This follows its announcement to extend the right to request flexible working to parents with children aged 16 or under in May this year.

The aim of the consultation is to raise awareness among staff of the right to request flexible working. It will, for example, consider ways to make it easier for employers to deal with requests.

The consultation will also consider whether to scrap the requirement that employers notify staff in writing that their request has been accepted.

Unions along with employer and employee representatives, parents, and businesses will be included in the consultation process.

The government also plans to launch an awareness raising campaign in the autumn to target groups, such as fathers and carers, who have low knowledge of flexible working.