Flexible working agreed decision extension letter template

£9.99

UK-specific • Editable • Instant download • 12 months' updates

Our Flexible Working Agreed Decision Extension Letter Template streamlines extension requests, ensuring efficient communication and flexibility.

If you are seeking agreement to an extension of up to two weeks of the decision period to decide an employee's request for flexible working, issue this model letter template.

Flexible working agreed decision extension letter template
2026 Reviewed
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 2 pages • 332 words
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],

Agreed extension of flexible working request outcome

I am writing to you about your flexible working request dated [insert date which appeared on employee's request], which we received on [insert date employer received the request].

Initially, the law requires us to notify you of our decision on your request within two months of the day on which we received it] However, we may agree between us to extend that initial decision period.

[As set out in my letter to you of [insert date], we previously agreed between us to extend the decision period so that we would not be obliged to notify you of our decision

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What is a flexible working agreed decision extension letter?

Flexible working agreed decision extension letter template preview

An employer would issue a Flexible working agreed decision extension letter when they require more time to consider an employee's request for flexible working arrangements. The letter informs the employee that the employer has not yet reached a decision on the request, but is willing to extend the decision-making period.

There may be various reasons why an employer would need to extend the decision-making period, such as the need to gather more information or to consult with other stakeholders. The Flexible working agreed decision extension letter would typically include a new deadline for the employer to make a decision.

This letter is an important communication tool as it shows the employer's commitment to giving the employee's request proper consideration. It also helps to manage the employee's expectations and provides them with a clear timeline for when they can expect to hear back from their employer. This can help to reduce anxiety and stress on the employee's part, while also allowing the employer to make a well-informed decision that takes into account the needs of both the employee and the business.

The wider HR process

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

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HR considerations

UK employment law and best practice

This template is designed to support the process, but the document should be used alongside the relevant HR procedure and applied to the circumstances of the individual case.

Employers have a legal obligation to respond to an employee's flexible working request within two months of receiving it. However, in some cases, the employer may require more time to consider the request properly. In such cases, the employer can agree to extend the decision-making period.

  • Employers should notify the employee in writing within the original decision period that they are considering the request and that they may require an extension of up to an additional two weeks.

  • Employers should only use the extension period when they need additional time to gather information, consult with others, or consider the request properly.

  • Employers should inform the employee of the new deadline for the decision within the extension period.

  • If the employer decides to grant the request, they should inform the employee in writing of the changes to their working arrangements and the date on which the changes will come into effect.

  • If the employer decides to refuse the request, they should provide clear reasons for the decision in writing and explain the appeals process.

In summary, while employers are required to respond to flexible working requests within three months, they can agree to an extension of up to two weeks.

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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 agreed decision extension 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 agreed decision extension 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.

How this content is developed and reviewed

The Flexible working agreed decision extension letter template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.

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.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

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."

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Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
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