Acas consultation: draft Code of Practice on requests for flexible working

Acas is updating its statutory Code of Practice on requests for flexible working to reflect changes being introduced through the Employment Rights Act 2025 and regulations made under it.

These changes will lead to new requirements for employers when considering statutory flexible working requests. They are expected to take effect in autumn 2027. When in force, they will:

• provide that an employer may refuse a request only where it is reasonable to do so for one or more of the statutory business reasons
• require an employer to explain why it considers the refusal reasonable
• require employers to follow mandatory consultation steps, which will be set out in regulation

You can view the Code of Practice and respond to the consultation here. The consultation is open until 17 December 2026.