Who it is for
Employers in England, Wales and Scotland handling statutory flexible working requests today. When the 2027 rules come in, switch to the ERA 2025 version.
What it covers
- What a statutory request can cover (hours, times and place of work), with common patterns.
- What the written request must include.
- The meeting, the right to be accompanied and the two-month decision period, including any appeal.
- The eight statutory business reasons for refusing, and explaining which applies and why.
- Trial periods, and agreeing an extension in writing.
- Appeals, permanent contract changes, protection from detriment and reasonable adjustments.
The law it reflects
Checked against the law in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) as at 19 October 2026.
- The current rules have applied since 6 April 2024: a day-one right to request, up to two requests in any 12 months, consultation before any refusal, and a decision within two months that includes any appeal, unless you agree an extension.
- The Acas Code of Practice on flexible working requests (2024) applies until it is replaced.
- The Employment Rights Act 2025 will only let you refuse where a statutory ground applies and it is reasonable to refuse on that ground. The government expects this in autumn 2027. It is not in force yet. Acas is consulting on a revised Code of Practice until 17 December 2026.
- Before refusing, check for a link to disability (the duty to make reasonable adjustments applies separately) or to childcare and other caring responsibilities (a refusal can be indirect discrimination unless it is objectively justified).
Before you use it
It is a starting point, not legal advice. Fill in the placeholders, set your own timescales, and check it fits how your organisation actually works. Take advice if a case is complex, could involve discrimination, or may end up at a tribunal. Northern Ireland has different rules in several areas.
Need more? See the Flexible Working Pack. 13 documents: policy, request form, consultation record, decision and appeal letters, with the 2027 reasonableness test flagged. £79 + VAT, one-off.