Flexible working request letter template

Flexible working request letter template

Our Flexible Working Request Letter Template simplifies the process, enabling employees to request flexible arrangements with confidence and clarity.

Use this model letter template to request flexible working, such as a change in work pattern, compressed hours, or a reduction or increase in hours.

£7.90
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 267 words · 2 pages
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 01/08/2026
Next review 01/02/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

Download .doc

Copy [to paste]

Email
Template

[Sender name]

[Sender address]

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

Request for flexible working

I would like to apply to work a flexible working pattern that is different to my current working pattern under my right provided under section 80F of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

I confirm that I meet each of the eligibility criteria as follows:

  • I have not made more than 1 statutory request to work flexibly during the past 12 months. [A maximum of 1 applicaton can be made in Northern Ireland].
  • [NI only: I have 26 weeks

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For more value, this is also found in our Full library and Flexible and hybrid working templates toolkit

What is a flexible working request letter?

The purpose of the Flexible Working Request Letter Template is to provide employees with a formal format to request flexible working arrangements from their employer.

It allows employees to express their needs and preferences regarding working hours, location, or other flexible arrangements, while also helping employers assess and respond to such requests in a structured and fair manner.

The wider HR process

Related HR resources and workflow

Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Flexible working request letter, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.

This
Flexible working request letter
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Letters
Flexible working request acknowledgement letter

Use this model letter to notify the employee that their flexible working request has been received and that a meeting will be set up to discuss it with them.

Premium content

To continue reading, purchase this item or a parent toolkit, library or our full library.

Compliance

UK employment law and best practice

  • The Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA): Provides employees with the legal right to request flexible working arrangements.

  • The Flexible Working Regulations 2014 and The Flexible Working Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015: Outlines the statutory procedure that employers must follow when considering flexible working requests.

  • .The Equality Act 2010: Prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics such as gender, age, disability, or religious beliefs, which includes flexible working arrangements.

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Requires employers to consider the health and safety implications of flexible working arrangements.

  • The Working Time Regulations 1998: Set limits on working hours and rest breaks, which may be relevant when considering flexible working requests.

UK employment law guidance for Flexible working request letter template

Related Flexible and hybrid working HR templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in my small business?

Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.

Is it compliant with 2026 UK employment law?

Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.

Can I customise it for my organisation?

Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.

Do I get instant access to it?

Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.

What if I need more help, not just this template?

If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Flexible working request letter template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.

Why should I use this Flexible working request letter template, and not AI to generate it?

AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing flexible and hybrid working processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

RB
Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
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