General · 16 September 2026

Why employers must now meet flexible working staff

Cabinet Office via Wikimedia Commons (OGL 3)

New rights mean company bosses will have to meet staff requesting flexible working and explain any refusals. First secretary of state Louise Haigh announced the changes on Tuesday at the TUC conference, saying every request must be taken seriously. The new rules build on existing laws, ensuring employers properly consider and justify their decisions.

By BriefTea Editorial · 16 September 2026 at 0:03

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

What is flexible working? What are employee rights? How do laws get changed?

More briefs

PoliticsWhy Under-21s Won't See Equal Minimum Wage Before Next Election GeneralAirbnb hosts can't make guests wash up or strip beds from 20 November HealthKiwi skins, broccoli stalks and watermelon rind pack extra fibre, researchers say WorldLeft-wing extremists attack police, loot shops in Frankfurt. GeneralDense fog with under 100 metres visibility hits England, more due this weekend PoliticsKemi Badenoch dismisses PM's slavery apology talk as a distraction More top stories → Browse all stories →