Mar 2nd, 2023
2 mins
BFFF has been following the progress of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill 2022-23. The Bill had its first reading on 15 June 2022 and passed its second reading on 28 October 2022. The Bill completed its committee stage on 7 December 2022 without amendment. In both cases, MPs from all sides of the House spoke in favour of the Bill and no opposition was raised, meaning the stages were passed without division. It is listed for the remaining stages on 24 February 2023.
The Bill would amend the Employment Rights Act 1996 to change the current right to request flexible working in the following ways:
- Removing the requirement for employees to explain in their applications what effect they think it will have on the employer.
- Allowing employees to make two flexible working requests per 12 months instead of the one currently allowed.
- Requiring employers to consult with the employee before being allowed to refuse an application.
- Reducing the deadline for an employer’s decision on flexible working requests from three months to two months.
For details of the full document, please see the below link:
