Flexible Working Toolkit

The Flexible Working Toolkit Ensures Compliance, Fairness and Consistency

Since April 2003 employees who satisfy the eligibility criteria have had the right to make an application to work flexibly. Initially the right applied to parents, but that requirement was removed in June 2014, meaning anyone with 26 weeks service could make a request for flexible working. The length of service requirement was removed in 2024, making flexible working a day one right for all employees. The employer has a duty to consider the request reasonably and can turn it down on specified business grounds. The rules are designed to facilitate discussion and encourage both the employee and employer to consider flexible working patterns and to find a solution that suits both parties. When an application is submitted it will be the first line manager of the applicant who will be responsible for ensuring that the procedure is followed and the application is brought to a suitable conclusion. This Flexible Working Toolkit is aimed at helping you, the line manager, through the process and some of the decisions you will have to make.

The law defines the way a request for flexible working should be dealt with and the resource materials within this toolkit ensure compliance with the legislation.

Basically, the law gives employees the right to ask their employer for a change to their working hours, pattern of work or place of work, and compels employers to apply a designated procedure to consider such requests. There is no obligation to agree to a request for flexible working; the employee’s right is simply to request flexible working, not to have it on demand. There is a statutory list of eight business reasons that can be relied on as justification for refusing an employee’s request for flexible working and, where a request is refused, the reason for the refusal must be one of these reasons.

This Flexible Working Toolkit provides guidance in the following areas: Compliance with GDPR Eligibility to Request Flexible Working Meaning of Flexible Working Triggering the Statutory Process ACAS Code of Practice Considering the Application Reaching a Decision Confirming the Decision Appeals Withdrawn Applications Unresolved Applications Avoiding Discrimination What’s Changing Total pages:27 Last updated: June 2025

The Flexible Working Toolkit contains the following template documents to support the guidance notes: Flexible Working Policy Letter Requesting Resubmission (application incomplete) Confirmation of Failure to Meet Eligibility Requirements Letter Requesting Employee Attends A Meeting To Discuss the Application Confirmation of Application Acceptance Agreement to a Compromise Arrangement Confirmation of Rejection Confirmation of Receipt of Appeal and Request to Attend A Meeting Letter Confirming Appeal is Upheld Letter Confirming Appeal is Rejected Letter Confirming Extension to Flexible Working Trial Period Request To Extend The Time Limit Extension of Time Limit Agreement Form For An Employee To Confirm Withdrawal of Flexible Working Request Letter Confirming Withdrawal of Flexible Working Request All the supporting materials are created Microsoft Word so you may easily save them to your PC, amend them to suit your business style and then use them time and time again.

How Much Does The Flexible Working Toolkit Cost?

Excellent value at only £125.

How To Order Your Flexible Working Toolkit

Once your payment has cleared, you will receive an email with a link to download your copy of the Flexible Working Toolkit.

Have a question about the Kea Flexible Working Toolkit?

Read about my other HR Toolkits