3. Agreeing to a request
Important: This advice reflects the current law. We will update this advice in 2024 when new flexible working law comes into force. Read more about the new flexible working law on GOV.UK.
It’s a good idea to give your employee a decision as soon as possible.
There is a time limit of a maximum of 3 months of receiving a request for you to give a decision.
If you need more time, you can only extend the time limit if your employee agrees.
If you agree to the request
If you approve the request, it’s a good idea to confirm it in writing, including:
- the agreed change
- when the change will start
- how long the change will last, if for a fixed period of time
- a review date, if the change will be looked at to see how it’s going
When changes must be in writing
If the change affects anything that must legally be in your employee’s employment contract, you’ll need to put it in writing. You must do this within a month of the change taking effect.
This includes changes to:
- working hours
- pay
- job location
- holiday entitlement