When it comes to running a business, hiring employees can often be the most complicated step. As soon as you take on your first employee, you liability increases and you are suddenly responsible for so much more than just your business. Unwitting employees can very easily fall foul of the law if they are not willing to learn the rules. Flexible working is one area that often trips up employers. And with flexible working growing in popularity, it makes sense to learn the rules now before it’s too late.

What is flexible working?

Flexible working is any arrangement where the employee is allowed to complete their duties in a different location or timeframe. This might include working from home, working different hours or even switching to part-time hours. Flexible working also includes things like job sharing, or term-time working, which can help parents to manage childcare costs. Flexible working can often be advantageous to a business, as it helps to boost productivity and increase employee retention, which will result in a reduction of overheads in the long run.

So, what are the rules surrounding flexible working?

In the UK, every employee has the right to request flexible working after …