Civil Service employees can make a statutory flexible working request from the first day of employment. The right is a right to request, not an automatic right to receive the exact pattern asked for. Eligibility, previous requests and the route used still matter.
On this page
The statutory right applies from day one
An employee can make a statutory request from the first day of the job. A reason such as childcare, caring responsibility, study or health does not have to be proved before the request is valid. The request must still meet the written requirements and the department can refuse it for a permitted business reason after consultation.
How many requests can be made
An employee can make two statutory flexible working requests in any twelve-month period. Only one statutory request can be active at a time. A request remains active until it is decided, withdrawn, treated as withdrawn under the rules or otherwise concluded.
Not every worker has the statutory right
The statutory right is tied to employee status. Agency workers, casual workers and some people on other arrangements may not qualify, although the department or employing organisation can still consider an informal request. Civil servants should also check whether they are employed directly by the department, an agency, a contractor or another body because the correct employer must handle the statutory request.
Probation does not remove the day-one right
A new employee can make a request during probation. The department may still consider the operational effect and the employee should think carefully about how the proposed pattern interacts with training, supervision and probation objectives.
Unlock the full eligibility and route check below, including how to handle previous requests, probation, fixed-term roles, agency status, disability-related needs and situations where HR says the statutory process does not apply.
Join our careers service to read more...
If everyone knew the best tricks and tips then they would no longer work! That is why the best guidance is for members only.
Subscribe to open the locked section on this page and get access to the full Civil Service Careers premium library.
Get help with applications, interviews, behaviours, personal statements, CVs, tests, workplace problems, promotions, and career decisions, all written for people who want a better result.
Already subscribed? Log in