New Flexible Working Code of Practice published…

Acas has published a revised Code of Practice on Requests for Flexible Working which will take effect in April this year. The Code relates to the statutory right to request flexible working as set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996 and sets out statutory guidance. Acas will also produce non-statutory guidance to accompany the Code.

While the current Code stays in place until then, the revised version comes with some noteworthy changes shaped by insights from the consultation held in July last year. Here’s a glimpse of the changes to come.

• The new Code suggests that when a flexible working request can’t be fully accommodated employers should engage in discussions with the employee about potential modifications.
• Formal meetings post the approval of a flexible working request are no longer required.
• The list of companions allowed at request meetings has expanded, though it’s crucial to note that statutory accompaniment rights don’t apply.
• A new recommendation encourages all organisations, regardless of size, to designate a different manager for handling appeals related to flexible working requests.

The new Code can be read here

Employer’s may want to plan now to review their flexible working policies in time for the changes. Let us know if we can help.

Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding the issues discussed in this article.

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