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8. Statutory requests under the Flexible Working Regulations

8.1    Whilst this Policy has been extended to all staff members, the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 enable individuals to submit requests to work flexibly where they are:

8.1.1    an employee;

8.1.2    have worked continuously for their employer for at least 26 weeks at the date the request is made; and

8.1.3    have not made another request to work flexibly under the regulations during the past 12 months. 

8.2    Staff will be asked to identify whether they are eligible employees under the criteria in sections 8.1.1 to 8.1.3 when they make their request.

8.3    An application must:

  • be in writing;
  • be dated;
  • state that it is an application made under the statutory procedure;
  • specify the change that the employee is seeking and when they wish the change to take effect;
  • explain what effect, if any, the employee thinks the change would have on the employer and how any such effect could be dealt with; and
  • state whether the employee has previously made an application to the employer and, if so, when.

8.4    In the case of eligible employees, Institutions should note that any decision (including any appeal) should be taken within three months of the date of the request.  However, this time limit can be extended by agreement between the Institution and the employee; for example, to accommodate a trial period, annual or sick leave, or to enable the Head of Institution to discuss the impact of the flexible working request with team members.

8.5    Any such agreement should be recorded in writing by the Institution, be dated, specify what time limit the extension relates to and specify the date on which the extension is to end. The employee should be provided with a written record of this agreement and will be asked to confirm that they have received this notification.