Flexible Working: What Are My Rights? UK Guide (2024)
Since April 2024, all employees have a day-one right to request flexible working. This guide explains how the right works, how to make a request, the reasons an employer can refuse, and what to do if your request is turned down.
Last updated: July 2026. This guide provides general information, not legal advice.
Flexible working: what are my rights?
Since 6 April 2024, all employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment. The right is to request flexible working, not a guaranteed right to receive it — but your employer must handle the request reasonably and can only refuse for specific business reasons.
Flexible working can include changes to hours, times, or place of work — for example reduced hours, compressed hours, flexitime, job sharing, remote working, or term-time working.
The 2024 changes in a nutshell
- Day-one right to request — the 26-week qualifying period was removed
- Up to two requests allowed in any 12-month period (previously one)
- Employer must respond within two months (previously three)
- No need to explain the effect on the employer in your application
- A statutory right — employers must handle requests reasonably under the ACAS Code
How to make a request
Your application must:
- State that it is a statutory request under the Employment Rights Act 1996
- Specify the change you want and the date you want it to start
- Explain what effect you think the change would have on the employer and how to deal with it (this is no longer compulsory but can still help)
- Say whether you have made a previous request and when
You can make the request in writing or digitally. Keep a dated copy. The employer should consider it and discuss it with you before deciding.
The employer's decision
Your employer can only refuse a request for one or more of these eight permitted business reasons:
The employer must handle the request reasonably, give reasons for any refusal, and follow the ACAS Code of Practice on requests for flexible working. A refusal that ignores the Code can support a tribunal claim.
If your request is refused
Your options include:
- 1Ask the employer to explain the reasons and whether alternatives could work.
- 2Appeal internally if your employer has an appeals process.
- 3Consider whether the refusal could be linked to a protected characteristic (potential discrimination).
- 4Contact ACAS for early conciliation before any tribunal claim.
- 5Bring a tribunal claim within 3 months less 1 day if the process was unfair or the reason invalid.
Tip: EmploymentCase supports flexible working requests end-to-end — draft the letter, track the deadline and store the employer\'s response in one place.