New legislation, including three Government backed cross party Acts, came into force on Saturday granting workers across the country more flexibility over where and when they work.
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act means employees now have the right to request reasonable flexible working from their first day of employment, with those requests subject to business approval.
The improved flexible working entitlement, supported by a revised Acas Statutory Code of Practice, requires employers to consider and discuss any requests made by their employee within two months of a request, down from the previous requirement of three months. Employees also now have the right to two requests a year.
The legislation also creates a new entitlement to a week of leave for unpaid carers who are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need. This will enable carers to better balance their caring and work responsibilities, supporting them to remain in employment.
The changes also see the introduction of new employment protections, including redundancy protections for pregnant women and new parents alongside new flexible paternity leave.
For more information: Significant progress: Ageing Better welcomes new worker rights on carer’s leave and flexible working | Centre for Ageing Better (ageing-better.org.uk)