The UK government is introducing new rights for employees that require employers to properly consider requests for flexible working and offer a face-to-face meeting when staff ask about changes, including shift adjustments. The reform is announced by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh and is intended to strengthen how flexibility requests are handled in workplaces.
Under the changes, employers must also be able to justify any refusal of a flexible working request. The requirement for a meeting is framed as part of ensuring requests are considered in a direct and structured way, rather than handled solely through written responses. The announcements are made as part of the government’s broader approach to workplace relations.
Different outlets focus on the practical impact for workers and employers, highlighting the obligation to meet and the expectation of a clear rationale for refusals, rather than the specific details of eligibility, timelines, or enforcement mechanisms.
