Backbench Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi used her success in the Private Members’ Bill ballot to propose changes to the law, via the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill 2022.
With the support of the Conservative government, “These changes mean employees can now make two, rather than one, requests per year for flexible working arrangements. The deadline for employers to respond to such requests has also been reduced from three to two months. The changes also mean employers have to provide reasons for denying any request, and employees no longer have to explain the impact of their request.”
Alongside the Act, the government announced that from 2027 employees will have right to request flexible working from day one of a new job.