A guide for employees and employers

Checklist - How to help your employer consider your request

State the date on which you would like your new working arrangement to begin.
Give your employer plenty of notice —the approval process can take up to 3 months and sometimes longer if a problem arises.
Clarify with your employer about how they like requests to be made, but ensure that everything is in writing. Your employer may have their own form. If you are unsure, use Form A: Request Form for flexible working arrangements.
Provide as much detail as possible about the working arrangement you would like and why.
Show how your plans would not have a negative impact on your employer’s business and may in fact improve it. This may involve, for example, showing that you are available to provide extra cover at peak hours to help improve customer service.
Identify how the new working arrangement meets the needs of those you care for, your employer’s needs and the needs of your colleagues.
Show how any potential problems your plans may present to your employer can be overcome. For example, you may no longer be at work when the business opens but you may be able to show that this isn’t important because, either, it is not a busy time, or, a colleague may be able to stand in for you.
Check who will consider your request and make sure that you submit it to the appropriate person. If the person is absent it may be necessary to send it to an alternative manager.