Acas has published the responses to its consultation on a new Code of Practice and guidance on flexible working. Later this year, all employees who have worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more will have the right to ask if they can work flexibly. The consultation asked employers for their views on the draft Code and good practice guidance to help manage flexible working requests. A new revised draft statutory Code of Practice (Annex A of the response to the consultation) and Handling requests to work flexibly in a reasonable manner: an Acas guide, has been published to help employers prepare for the forthcoming changes in the law. The Acas guidance picks up on a number of issues raised by consultees including factors to consider when examining requests and includes advice on making a request to work flexibly, handling such requests fairly, avoiding discrimination and dealing with appeals. Although the Code and guide represent Acas best practice, both documents nevertheless relate to the future position when the right to request flexible working will eventually be extended to all employees (see above). In the meantime the statutory provisions in Part 8A Flexible Working of the Employment Rights Act 1996 apply.

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