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Extension of Flexible Working Rights – Implementation Delayed

The Government has announced that, owing to delays to the Children and Families Bill, it will not be possible to extend the right to request flexible working arrangements to all employees who have completed 26 weeks’ qualifying service as from 6 April 2014 as originally intended.

However, this measure will be introduced on ‘an appropriate date as soon as possible this year’, at which time the current statutory procedure for dealing with such requests will be repealed and replaced with non-statutory guidance produced by Acas giving practical examples to help businesses manage the new extended right.

The right currently applies to employees who have children under the age of 17 (18 if the child is disabled) or those who have caring responsibilities.