How to Ask for Flexible Working in the UK (2026)
15 August 2026
Learn how to formally request flexible working in the UK. Step-by-step guidance, legal rights, and tips for a successful application.
Your Legal Right to Request Flexible Working
Since April 2024, every employee in the UK has the legal right to request flexible working from day one of their employment. This means you no longer need to wait 26 weeks before making a request. The right applies to all employees, including agency workers. Your request can cover changes to your working hours, times, or location, such as compressed hours, job sharing, or hybrid work. Employers must deal with your request in a reasonable manner and respond within two months. They can only refuse on specific business grounds, such as cost, inability to reorganise work, or negative impact on quality or performance.
Before You Ask: Prepare Your Flexible Working Proposal
The key to a successful flexible working request is preparation. Start by identifying the exact pattern you want – for example, working 9am to 5pm over four days, or working from home three days a week. Think about how this will affect your role, your team, and your customers. Write a clear proposal that outlines the change, the start date, and how you'll handle any potential challenges. Consider how your colleagues might be affected and suggest solutions, such as a trial period. The more detailed and workable your plan, the harder it is for your employer to refuse without a solid business reason.
How to Submit a Formal Flexible Working Request
In the UK, you must make a formal application in writing to your employer. You can use a template from ACAS or write your own letter. Include the date, the change you’re requesting, and when you’d like it to start. Also state whether you’ve made any previous applications. If you’re making a second request, you need to explain what has changed. Send it to your line manager or HR department. Keep a copy for yourself. Once submitted, your employer must hold a meeting to discuss your request within a reasonable timeframe. You have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative.
What Happens After You Submit Your Request?
Your employer must consider your request properly. They should arrange a meeting to discuss it with you, and you have the right to be accompanied. After the meeting, they must notify you of their decision within two months of receiving the original request. If they approve, they’ll confirm the new working pattern in writing, and this becomes a permanent change to your contract unless it’s agreed as temporary. If they refuse, they must explain the business grounds and how they concluded that the refusal is justified. If you feel the refusal is based on incorrect facts or wasn’t handled reasonably, you can appeal.
Tips for a Successful Appeal or Negotiation
If your flexible working request is refused, don’t panic. You have the right to appeal against the decision. Write to your employer within 14 days (or as set out in their policy) explaining why you think the refusal is unjustified. Be specific – reference the business grounds they used and explain why they don’t apply. You can also propose a trial period to prove the arrangement works. If you’re still unhappy, you might be able to take a claim to an employment tribunal, but only on limited grounds, such as discrimination or failure to deal with your request reasonably. Consider whether a compromise, like a slight variation, could work for both sides.
FAQ
Yes, since April 2024, all employees in the UK have the legal right to request flexible working from their very first day of employment. There is no minimum service requirement. You must still follow the formal procedure, including making a written application, and your employer must consider it reasonably and respond within two months.