Flexible working requests - carers and parents

Who is entitled to request to work flexibly?
What changes can an employee request?
Do I have to agree to a request to work flexibly?
How should an employee go about requesting flexible working?
How should I handle a request to work flexibly?
On what grounds may I refuse to grant a request to work flexibly?
If I accept a flexible working request, how long do the changes last for?
I am not sure whether I can accept a particular request – can I trial the arrangements to see if they work?
If both you and the employee agree that a trial is appropriate then you may extend the flexible working request process by the length of the trial. You should confirm in writing:
- the end date of the trial
- the factors that will be varied for the duration of the trial
- what factors would render the trial a success and what would happen if it is, i.e. the new terms would apply
- what factors might render the trial a failure
If after a trial you decide that the changes do not work you should continue with the process as outlined in the policy & procedure.