An opportunity for employers and employees to have “grown-up” conversations about working arrangements, the UK’s new day-one right to request flexible working may also encourage staff to seek more freedoms, say lawyers.

The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which came into force on Saturday 6 April, gives workers the right to make a flexible working request from the commencement of their employment. Previously, employees had to be employed for at least 26 weeks (six months) before making such a request.