October 1, 2026
Four in five people say a lack of flexible working could be a deal breaker when going for a job
The vast majority of employees say flexible working is important when considering a job, according to new research from workplace advisory body Acas. The YouGov survey found that 78 percent of employees considered flexible working important, compared with 20 percent who said it was not. The findings come ahead of changes to flexible working rules under the Employment Rights Act 2025. Under the new provisions, employers considering turning down a flexible working request will be required to consult the employee before reaching a decision, and will only be able to reject the request where it is reasonable to do so.
Acas has now launched a consultation on revisions to its Code of Practice on requests for flexible working, intended to reflect the changes in the law and provide practical guidance for employers and employees. Acas Chair Baroness Maggie Jones said the research showed that flexible working remained an important consideration for employees and argued that, when implemented successfully, it could benefit employers, workers and the wider economy. “Acas’s updated Code will help employers and employees understand the new law, reach fair and effective decisions and prevent disputes,” she said. “We are keen to get views on whether it is clear and practical.”
The revised Code sets out how and when employers should consult employees and encourages both parties to consider what forms of flexibility may be possible. It is based around four principles: making decisions based on evidence; adapting where possible to accommodate a request; working together to identify solutions; and acting transparently and consistently.
Acas says the principles are intended to apply to organisations of all sizes and sectors, although their application will depend on factors including an employer’s resources, size and operational requirements. The Code is designed to encourage a fair and reasonable process rather than prescribe a particular outcome in every workplace.
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said flexible working was not simply a question of where or when somebody worked, but could also affect employers’ ability to retain staff. “For businesses it’s an important part of retaining talent and building a stronger workforce, and for workers the right flexibility can be the difference between staying in a job or leaving it,” she said.
Timewise CEO Clare McNeil said the organisation’s work suggested there was scope for greater flexibility even in shift- and site-based roles. “The organisations that get ahead of this stand to gain the most through better retention, better wellbeing and thousands more people able to access and stay in work,” she said.
The changes to the law governing statutory flexible working requests are expected to come into force in autumn 2027, while Acas is currently consulting on the revised Code of Practice. The consultation is intended to establish whether the new guidance is clear and practical for employers and employees ahead of the changes taking effect.
