If you want to change when, how or where you work, you can ask your employer by making a flexible working request.
This includes asking to:
- work from home
- change how often you work from home
- change how often you're in the workplace, as part of a hybrid working arrangement
Hybrid working means splitting your time between:
- the workplace
- working remotely, for example from home or another location
Making a statutory flexible working request
If you're legally classed as an employee, you have a statutory (legal) right to request flexible working.
Employers can accept, partially accept or reject a statutory request. An employer can only reject the request if there's a genuine business reason.
As part of considering the request, the employer might need to carry out a risk assessment for working at home. For example, to check that it's suitable and safe to work there.
Find out more about:
- the statutory right to request flexible working
- making a statutory request
- steps for employers considering a request
Agreeing a change without using the statutory procedure
You can agree flexible working arrangements informally without using the statutory procedure.
For example if:
- you prefer to informally ask for a change
- you do not have a statutory right to request flexible working
- your organisation has a separate process for requests
If your organisation has a process for requesting flexible working or working from home, you should follow it.
If you're not sure if there's a process:
- check your organisation's policy on flexible working, home or hybrid working
- ask your manager
- ask your HR department
If you have a disability
If you're asking to work from home because of a disability you have, you can either:
- make a flexible working request
- request a reasonable adjustment
Reasonable adjustments are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone's disability.
By law (Equality Act 2010), employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees.
Find out more about:
Planning your request
Before you make a request, find out if your employer has a relevant policy. For example, a homeworking, hybrid working or flexible working policy. If you're not sure, ask your manager or HR department.
A policy usually explains how things work in your organisation. This might include how to make a request and who to send it to.
Asking for more than one type of flexible working
You can include different types of flexible working in your request. For example, if you want to change your working pattern and how often you work from home.
Example – asking to change where and when you work
Ali works 5 days a week – 3 days in the office and 2 days at home.
Ali needs to pick up their children 3 days a week after school. The pick up times are different each day. Working at home more often and having flexible hours would help with school pick ups.
Ali makes a statutory flexible working request to:
- work from home 3 days a week and 2 days in the office
- work flexible hours on the days they work from home
Ali's employer must consider this request in line with the law on flexible working requests.
If a change is agreed
If you agree a change, this usually changes the terms of your employment contract.
For example, if the change relates to your:
- working hours
- job location
- job description
- pay
If any contract terms change, your employer must put the changes in writing within one month of agreeing them.
Find out more about:
Get more advice and support
To find out about home and hybrid working in your organisation, talk to your manager, employer or HR department.
For more advice: