Key contact
Andrew Granger
Partner
Business /
Flexible working
Ensuring that you have the relevant policies and procedures in place to avoid any pitfalls
Although flexible and agile working have been buzzwords in employment law for a few years now, the pandemic has forced it onto the agenda of all organisations, whatever their size, structure, sector or location.
The Team
Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to provide you with creative, personalised solutions in a clear and understandable way.
Our Publications
Discover a wealth of invaluable guidance in the form of guides and brochures written by our expert lawyers.
A tool for Employers
Helping employers manage statutory flexible working requests
View profileAbout
Flexible working is the future of the workplace.
Despite the lockdowns and restrictions placing unprecedented demands on both employers and employees, many have adapted very well and are now looking to continue with a more hybrid working model, despite the end of the restrictions.
As well as the obvious benefits to both employers and employees of continuing to combine working from home with going into the office and more flexible hours, there are employment law and other legal implications that employers will need to consider.
Each organisation’s requirements will be slightly different and Collyer Bristow’s employment team can work with you to ensure that you have the relevant policies and procedures in place to avoid any pitfalls. Unlike other law firms we do not offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ Hybrid working package but can provide you with bespoke guidance that suits your specific needs, including:
- Managing requests for flexible working and managing a remote workforce.
- Guidance on how to implement changes to employment contracts in ways that minimise litigation risk.
- How to avoid redundancies and practical methods to reduce expenditure, and how to manage redundancies and restructures which are unavoidable.
- Handling sickness and unauthorised absences, and the effects of ‘long Covid’ on your workforce.
- Data protection issues, particularly around monitoring and recording vaccination status, testing results and sickness.
- Key managerial training including managing internal procedures whilst still working remotely, and dealing with inter-staff conflicts.
A reform of flexible working regulations
On 23 September the government opened a consultation to take views from individuals and businesses on its proposals to reform flexible working regulations. The government is consulting on five proposals which generally are designed to make flexible working the default for most. The consultation closed on 01 December 2021. The government states it is still analysing responses and is yet to publish its findings. It’s therefore not likely that any changes will be introduced for some time.
Meanwhile, the existing flexible working regulations remain in force, and businesses are being encouraged by the government to accept flexible working.
Employee expectations to work flexible and agilely have exploded and nearly half of all employers are reported to offer flexible working in 2021.
Support for employees
We advise employees on how to make statutory requests for flexible working and what your rights are if your employer unreasonably refuses a request or doesn’t respond within the decision period.
We can assist with preparing a formal request; guide you through the process; and where requests are not accepted by employers, assist you with submitting an appeal, grievance or Employment Tribunal claim if necessary.
We can also advise your flexible working rights as a parent or if you require reasonable adjustments.
For the latest updates on hybrid working listen to our Employment podcasts and read our articles.
Tania GoodmanPartner - Head of Employment
+44 20 7470 4528+44 7943 827603tania.goodman@collyerbristow.com
Quick glance: publications
- Employment Rights Bill: Emerging Trends & Considerations
- The proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment: What do employers need to know?
- Employment and Immigration Expertise
- Employment lawyers
- Employment and Immigration Expertise for Financial Services
- Advice for senior executives
- Employing domestic staff in the UK
- How to deal with a statutory flexible working request
- IR35: An overview of the changes
Flexible working Publications
Employment Rights Bill: Emerging Trends & Considerations
At our recent HR Conversations roundtable, we explored the key changes proposed under the Employment Rights Bill and their potential impact on employers and HR teams.
This summary outlines the current legal position, anticipated reforms, and practical steps organisations can take to prepare. Topics covered include:
Topics covered include:
- The new day-one right not to be unfairly dismissed
-
The future of fire and rehire practices
-
Evolving responsibilities around DEI and workplace culture
-
Flexible working requests and hybrid work models
-
The increasing role of AI in the workplace
Download the full summary below for insights and actionable recommendations from our Employment Law team.
The proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment: What do employers need to know?
From 26 October 2024, employers will have a new legal obligation to “take reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment. Here we explain how the law is changing, sanctions for non-compliance and what you can be doing now to prepare for the new duty in the run-up to October and beyond.
Employment and Immigration Expertise
An overview of our Employment and Immigration services.
Employment lawyers
An overview of our Employment services. Our Employment Lawyers work closely with many types of clients across a wide range of sectors providing advice on a variety of issues, whether they are HR-related, strategic, complex or contentious.
Employment and Immigration Expertise for Financial Services
An overview of our Employment and Immigration services within the financial services sector.
Advice for senior executives
Conflicts at work can be distressing and daunting for a variety of reasons and trying to deal with them on your own is difficult. We can help to clarify the situation for you by providing clear, practical and confidential guidance.
Employing domestic staff in the UK
This guide sets out the key legal considerations when hiring domestic staff in the UK and seeks to help you build an employment relationship that is both effective and compliant.
How to deal with a statutory flexible working request
Collyer Bristow’s Employment team has prepared a useful step-by-step flowchart for employers, guiding them through the complex process of dealing with a statutory flexible working request from an employee.
IR35: An overview of the changes
An overview of the IR35 tax rules now extending to the private sector. For affected contractors and businesses using their services, there are now significant tax and practical consequences.
Flexible working insights
Shorter Reads
Ensuring confidentiality of sensitive data in the workplaceEnsuring confidentiality of sensitive data in the workplace
Read more
Shorter Reads
Employment Update – April 2025Employment Update – April 2025
Read more
Shorter Reads
The right to disconnect might be dropped: what’s next?The right to disconnect might be dropped: what’s next?
Read more
Shorter Reads
Primark boss resigns following allegation by a woman “about his behaviour in a social environment”Primark boss resigns following allegation by a woman “about his behaviour in a social environment”
Read more
Shorter Reads
What next for McDonald’s after sexual harassment claims?What next for McDonald’s after sexual harassment claims?
Read more
Shorter Reads
Can your employer force you back to the office?Can your employer force you back to the office?
Read more
Longer Reads
Preventing sexual harassment: The ghost of Christmas party?Preventing sexual harassment: The ghost of Christmas party?
Read more
Longer Reads
Employment Law Update Seminar 2024: The Key PointsEmployment Law Update Seminar 2024: The Key Points
Read more
Shorter Reads
Economist, or just economical with the truth? How can employers respond to ‘fake claims’ on a CV?Economist, or just economical with the truth? How can employers respond to ‘fake claims’ on a CV?
Read more
Videos
Employment Rights Bill 2024: Everything employees and employers need to knowEmployment Rights Bill 2024: Everything employees and employers need to know
Watch now
Videos
Employers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: How we can support your complianceEmployers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: How we can support your compliance
Watch now
Videos
Employers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: A guide for HR teams & professionalsEmployers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: A guide for HR teams & professionals
Watch now
You might also like
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Need some more information? Make an enquiry below
Flexible working key contacts
- andrew.granger@collyerbristow.comAndrew
GrangerPartner
Talk to Andrew about Employment law for employees, Employment law for employers and Financial Services
Flexible working
Flexible working
Ensuring that you have the relevant policies and procedures in place to avoid any pitfalls
Although flexible and agile working have been buzzwords in employment law for a few years now, the pandemic has forced it onto the agenda of all organisations, whatever their size, structure, sector or location.
Key contact
Andrew Granger
Partner
The Team
Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to provide you with creative, personalised solutions in a clear and understandable way.
Our Publications
Discover a wealth of invaluable guidance in the form of guides and brochures written by our expert lawyers.
A tool for Employers
Helping employers manage statutory flexible working requests
Flexible working is the future of the workplace.
Despite the lockdowns and restrictions placing unprecedented demands on both employers and employees, many have adapted very well and are now looking to continue with a more hybrid working model, despite the end of the restrictions.
As well as the obvious benefits to both employers and employees of continuing to combine working from home with going into the office and more flexible hours, there are employment law and other legal implications that employers will need to consider.
Each organisation’s requirements will be slightly different and Collyer Bristow’s employment team can work with you to ensure that you have the relevant policies and procedures in place to avoid any pitfalls. Unlike other law firms we do not offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ Hybrid working package but can provide you with bespoke guidance that suits your specific needs, including:
- Managing requests for flexible working and managing a remote workforce.
- Guidance on how to implement changes to employment contracts in ways that minimise litigation risk.
- How to avoid redundancies and practical methods to reduce expenditure, and how to manage redundancies and restructures which are unavoidable.
- Handling sickness and unauthorised absences, and the effects of ‘long Covid’ on your workforce.
- Data protection issues, particularly around monitoring and recording vaccination status, testing results and sickness.
- Key managerial training including managing internal procedures whilst still working remotely, and dealing with inter-staff conflicts.
A reform of flexible working regulations
On 23 September the government opened a consultation to take views from individuals and businesses on its proposals to reform flexible working regulations. The government is consulting on five proposals which generally are designed to make flexible working the default for most. The consultation closed on 01 December 2021. The government states it is still analysing responses and is yet to publish its findings. It’s therefore not likely that any changes will be introduced for some time.
Meanwhile, the existing flexible working regulations remain in force, and businesses are being encouraged by the government to accept flexible working.
Employee expectations to work flexible and agilely have exploded and nearly half of all employers are reported to offer flexible working in 2021.
Support for employees
We advise employees on how to make statutory requests for flexible working and what your rights are if your employer unreasonably refuses a request or doesn’t respond within the decision period.
We can assist with preparing a formal request; guide you through the process; and where requests are not accepted by employers, assist you with submitting an appeal, grievance or Employment Tribunal claim if necessary.
We can also advise your flexible working rights as a parent or if you require reasonable adjustments.
For the latest updates on hybrid working listen to our Employment podcasts and read our articles.
Andrew GrangerPartner
View Andrew Granger's profileAbbie ArmstrongAssociate
View Abbie Armstrong's profileSinead KellySenior Associate
View Sinead Kelly's profileTania GoodmanPartner - Head of Employment
View Tania Goodman's profileTom HerbertAssociate
View Tom Herbert's profileFlexible working Publications
- Employment Rights Bill: Emerging Trends & Considerations
- The proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment: What do employers need to know?
- Employment and Immigration Expertise
- Employment lawyers
- Employment and Immigration Expertise for Financial Services
- Advice for senior executives
- Employing domestic staff in the UK
- How to deal with a statutory flexible working request
- IR35: An overview of the changes
Flexible working insights
Shorter Reads
Ensuring confidentiality of sensitive data in the workplaceEnsuring confidentiality of sensitive data in the workplace
Read more
Shorter Reads
Employment Update – April 2025Employment Update – April 2025
Read more
Shorter Reads
The right to disconnect might be dropped: what’s next?The right to disconnect might be dropped: what’s next?
Read more
Shorter Reads
Primark boss resigns following allegation by a woman “about his behaviour in a social environment”Primark boss resigns following allegation by a woman “about his behaviour in a social environment”
Read more
Shorter Reads
What next for McDonald’s after sexual harassment claims?What next for McDonald’s after sexual harassment claims?
Read more
Shorter Reads
Can your employer force you back to the office?Can your employer force you back to the office?
Read more
Longer Reads
Preventing sexual harassment: The ghost of Christmas party?Preventing sexual harassment: The ghost of Christmas party?
Read more
Longer Reads
Employment Law Update Seminar 2024: The Key PointsEmployment Law Update Seminar 2024: The Key Points
Read more
Shorter Reads
Economist, or just economical with the truth? How can employers respond to ‘fake claims’ on a CV?Economist, or just economical with the truth? How can employers respond to ‘fake claims’ on a CV?
Read more
Videos
Employment Rights Bill 2024: Everything employees and employers need to knowEmployment Rights Bill 2024: Everything employees and employers need to know
Watch now
Videos
Employers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: How we can support your complianceEmployers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: How we can support your compliance
Watch now
Videos
Employers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: A guide for HR teams & professionalsEmployers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace: A guide for HR teams & professionals
Watch now
Need some more information? Make an enquiry below.
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