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Our Flexible Working Request Solicitors Promise
Need advice from a flexible working request solicitor?
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your employment matter, and we’ll help you arrange an initial consultation. You’ll get:
- Unlimited time to discuss your matter with a flexible working request solicitor
- An outline of your legal position and available options
- A clear fee-quote and time frame to resolve your matter
The Flexible Working Request Experts
- Up-to-date information about flexible working request legislation
- Help drafting or reviewing flexible working request policies
- Advice on how to handle submitted requests legally
Commonly asked questions on flexible working requests.
Flexible working requests have adapted over the years to suit societal changes, especially following on from the working from home movement that happened during the pandemic. Although flexible working requests have always been available, the legislation was updated in April 2024.
1. What is a flexible working request?
There are various ways flexible working can take place which include hybrid working, remote working, and flexible hours.
Employees may request one alternative arrangement or a mixture of arrangements.
2. Are flexible working requests a benefit or legal right?
Employees have a legal right to apply for flexible working arrangements from the first day of their employment. This is known as making a statutory application. It is not their legal right to have an application accepted, only to submit an application.
Flexible working requests can only be made by employees. Those who are workers or self-employed do not have a legal right to make a flexible working request.
3. Do I have to accept all flexible working requests?
There must be a genuine business reason for you to decline a request and the reason must be inline with legal guidelines.
If you don’t have a genuine business reason for declining their request, or you don’t follow the correct procedures, employees could take you to the Employment Tribunal.
Although employees don’t have to provide a reason for their request, it could be in both your best interests to discuss it. Many people request flexible hours for parenting or caring, in which case denying their request could be discriminatory.
If you’re unsure on the correct procedures of handling requests, or you need advice on whether you can legally decline a request, our flexible working request solicitors can help.
4. How can you support my business?
Preventative measures
We work with businesses to minimise the probability of employment issues arising and to advise on contractual and workplace changes. This includes elements like training for management, contract reviews, and policy reviews.
Crisis and claim management
Where businesses are facing the prospect of a claim, we act swiftly to minimise damage and defend your company’s interests prior to and during any Employment Tribunal action.
Post-claim changes
If your business has recently faced a claim or had a spate of grievances raised, we will identify any underlying issues and provide you with a plan of action to minimise business disruption.
5. When should I consult a flexible working request solicitor?
Key moments where it’s beneficial to take advice from a solicitor:
- Upon start-up of a new business, to ensure employment contracts are consistent and correct from the beginning.
- When looking to introduce new contract types, e.g. zero hour contracts or apprenticeship agreements.
- Varying contractual terms for existing employees.
- When introducing employee benefits or new policies, like flexible working arrangements.
- Changing sickness or performance management processes.
- When dismissing an employee who may have a protected characteristic.
- During the redundancy process.
This list isn’t exhaustive and if you’re unsure whether your particular circumstances warrant an employment law solicitor, just call our friendly team on 0203 007 5500 and we’ll let you know.
6. Why should you choose Britton and Time Solicitors?
Our employment law team includes solicitors and HR professionals to provide a blend of legal and practical guidance on a wide range of matters across a broad selection of sectors. We offer pragmatic advice and solutions that pre-empt common employment issues that are often overlooked or ignored.
We advise public sector bodies and private enterprises of all sizes, from start-ups to multi-nationals, and heavily unionised organisations, all from our employment hubs in London and Brighton.
Our highly experienced team are here to help steer your business to the right outcomes at all stages of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement.
Looking for support with an employment law issue?
Tell us some details of your circumstances and we’ll contact you the same day.
Meet our expert employment law team.
Paul Britton
Managing Director
Rory Lindsay
Solicitor
Alexander Grist
Trainee Solicitor
Aryan Fallahi
Trainee Solicitor
Grace Marchant
Trainee Solicitor
Adam Geele
Paralegal
Why Britton and Time Solicitors?
Employment law is our speciality, and our employment solicitors have worked on everything from discrimination claims to settlement agreements. For your employment case, our solicitors will always guarantee:
Award-Winning Service.
You are our priority, and the law is our speciality. Our award-winning employment law solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
Full Billing Transparency.
No fee surprises. Ever. Our employment law solicitors will inform you from the outset on how much your case will cost, and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
Regular Communication.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our employment law solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
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Will to Win There are three things that make Britton & Time, and in particular Paul, stand apart from other law firms: knowledge, communication and a will to win.
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Our employment law services.
Employee Dismissals
Flexible Working Requests
Grievances and Disciplinaries
Health and Safety
Industrial Relations
Sickness and Performance
Redundancy
Tribunal Representation
TUPE
Investigations
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion
Settlement Agreements
Our employment law insights.
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