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UK government plans to require employers to meet workers who seek flexible arrangements
The reform announced by Louise Haigh would tighten how flexible working requests are handled. According to The Guardian, employers would have to consider those requests and explain any refusal in a face-to-face meeting.
The UK government has announced a reform aimed at strengthening the right to request flexible working. According to The Guardian, employers would be required to meet in person with workers who submit those requests and explain their reasons if they decide to turn them down.
The measure was presented by Louise Haigh during a TUC conference in Brighton. She said not every job can be adapted in the same way and not every request can be approved, but argued that each one should be taken seriously.
According to The Guardian, all employees already have a legal right to ask for flexible working, and employers must consider those requests in a reasonable manner. The newly announced change would add a requirement for bosses to sit down with employees and explain the reasons behind any refusal.
In her speech, Haigh also praised unions for campaigning for the Employment Rights Act, which she said expanded rights related to sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts.
She also struck a warm tone toward the trade union movement and said the government stands with working people. In that context, she praised Andy Burnham and said the movement draws its strength from its union roots.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
