Key facts
- Bosses must meet with employees who request flexible working.
- Employers must justify refusals for flexible working requests.
- New rights for flexible working were announced by Louise Haigh.
- Current rules require employers to consider requests reasonably.
- Haigh praised unions for campaigning for the Employment Rights Act.
Company bosses in the UK will be legally obligated to meet with employees who request flexible working arrangements and provide clear justifications for any denials, under new rights announced by Louise Haigh, the first secretary of state. Speaking at the TUC conference in Brighton, Haigh stated that employers must "properly consider" these requests and hold face-to-face meetings.
"Life isn’t always as neat as we’d like it to be or as employers would like it to be. There’s kids to pick up, parents to look after, families who rely on us at short notice. And sometimes a little bit of flexibility can make all the difference," Haigh said. She acknowledged that not all jobs can accommodate remote work or every request, but emphasized that "every request can be taken seriously."
Under the current regulations, employees have a legal right to request flexible working, which employers must consider in a "reasonable manner." The proposed changes would mandate a direct discussion and explanation for any rejection.
Haigh also commended unions for their advocacy, particularly for the Employment Rights Act, which introduced enhanced rights concerning sick pay, parental leave, and zero-hours contracts. She highlighted the significant improvements in workers' rights, stating, "Because of you, working people have had the biggest uplift in their rights in a generation."