London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Employees can ask for flexible working from day one

Employees can ask for flexible working from day one

Employees will be given the right to ask for flexible working from their first day at a new job, the government has proposed.

New legislation will mean that workers will not have to wait for 26 weeks to seek flexible arrangements, as set out under the current law.

The government also wants to introduce laws that make it easier for people on low incomes to get a second job.

However, the Trades Union Congress said the government must go "much further".

Flexible working has continued after the UK emerged from 1Covid1 lockdowns.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said that if an employer cannot accommodate a request to work flexibly, it would have to discuss "alternative options" before rejecting it.

It said that flexible working did not just mean working from home but also included job-sharing, flexitime or staggered hours.

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, which represents the human resources industry, said: "This new right will help normalise conversations about flexibility at the start of the employment relationship, with significant benefits for employees in terms of wellbeing and work-life balance."

The government also said it planned to remove "exclusivity clause restrictions" for workers on contracts who are paid £123 or less a week. It will allow people to work for multiple employers and take on second jobs.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said that flexible working kept "mums in work" and helped close the gender pay gap.

"But we'd like the government to go much further to ensure that flexible work now becomes the norm," said Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC.

"Ministers must change the law so that every job advert makes clear what kind of flexible working is available in that role. And they should give workers the legal right to work flexibly from their first day in a job - not just the right to ask," she said.

The bill was introduced by Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi, who said that flexibility in the workplace was a lifeline rather than a "perk".

She said: "Younger families, single parents and lower earners have been hardest hit financially by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

"This makes it even more important for people who require it to be able to access flexible working."

The plans come as data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that record numbers of people are dropping out of the workforce due to ill health.

Flexible working offers a "much-needed pathway" in to the labour market by adjusting working patterns to support those who need it, added Labour MP Ms Qureshi.

As many firms struggle with recruiting amid record low unemployment, the government said the laws will "help businesses plug crucial staffing gaps by giving employers access to recruit from a wider talent pool".


'Inclusive'


Around 37% of working adults worked from home in 2020 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. A number of firms, such as Lloyds Banking Group, have since introduced hundreds of roles that are now permanently done from home.

But others claim it makes staff unproductive and have ordered staff to return to the office.

In July, Sports Direct-owner Frasers Groups scrapped working from home. Meanwhile, the world's richest man, Elon Musk, has also told staff at Twitter and electric carmaker Tesla that working remotely is no longer acceptable.

The CIPD, however, said the new plans would make workplaces "more inclusive".

"[The plans will] improve access to flexible jobs for many people. Older workers, those with caring responsibilities and people with health conditions are among those who will particularly benefit," said Mr Cheese.

The new plans include allowing employees to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period - currently they are allowed one.

It will also require employers to respond to requests within two months, down from three.

In addition, the government will remove the requirement on the employee to make suggestions as to how their flexible working request is dealt with by their employer.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×