Flexible working and the right to request flexible working arrangements

Flexible working is a term used to describe any working pattern that is changed to suit your needs.

Working parents who have children aged 16 or under, or disabled children under the age of 18, have the right to apply to their employer to work more flexibly if they have:

• Worked for their employer for 26 weeks continuously at the date of when the application is made

• Have not made another application to work flexibly within the past 12 months. 

Eligible parents have the right to apply in writing and your employer has a duty to carefully consider your request and respond to you in writing.

Some of the most common types of flexible working are:

• Part time working

• Term time working

• Working from home

• Flexi working

• Job sharing.

Further information on Flexible Working and the right to request flexible working

Direct GOV – Flexible Working  has more information on:

• Who is entitled to request flexible working

• The different types of flexible working arrangements

• How to make an application for flexible working

• Putting together a flexible working case.