Flexible working requests - is this allowed?

[Pinkstuffs]

Slightly outing myself, but the company I work for (large) have put a hold on new flexible working requests being processed for 6 weeks due to year-end pay reviews. Is this allowed? I’ve just returned from mat leave and with the 8 weeks consideration time, it means it’s months before I can sort my hours being dropped.

You’ve made it sound as if your request is a sure thing. It might be good practice in case they turn your request down!

I don’t think they will turn it down as my line manager is supportive. But yes you’re correct they might do. That’s not the question though?

The law has recently changed on FW timescales.

You have the (legal) right to make a statutory fw request any time you like (although there are restrictions in how many applications you can make in a year).

Then the employer has 2 months to give you a decision.

So all of the formal requests have to go through our HR system internally, but this system has been blocked for the next six weeks. So there’s no capacity to actually make a request?

You legally have the right to make a request, but they can delay a decision for a couple of months. I think it's 2 months they have.

I don't believe they can block requests. You have a legal right to make a request so can't see how this is legal.

I think it is allowed. As others say they just have to process it within 2 months. They might find they can't manage to process a backlog in 2 weeks though!

If "the portal" is closed I think you need to make it in some other way. Eg to your line manager / head of hr. You are still entitled to make one and their policy doesn't trump that entitlement. They can't stop you from making it.

I would however be concerned on a more personal note, that they won't process it in time, and whilst you can complain etc, you still won't have a decision. Have you left it quite to the wire, or is there leeway? It sounds important to you.

I'd make the request to my line manager on the grounds that the system was currently closed and see what they said about that.

You don't have to use their system. Follow the process on .gov website and hand in or email your request (perhaps stating that company's system for applying isn't currently working).

I would agree with everyone’s advice (you definitely do have the right to make the request despite what they’ve said), my only concern would be the response you get to doing this. My old employer would likely have maliciously turned it down (and you are restricted with how many requests you make a year). The MD and LM would also have taken offence- I know this because I made a FW request and after some difficultly took advice and told them about my rights. Although mine was granted the impact was far reaching and years later the MD held a grudge (and voiced this to all incoming team members).

I’m not usually one to roll over but after recent experiences, where an employer is flouting the rules like this I think it’s a sign of their general attitude and I question whether it’s worth fighting them over it.

Maybe mention it to your LM if you haven’t already to see if there are any concessions.