Ask to change your hours, the times you work or where you work. The builder writes a statutory request with everything it must include, offers a trial if you want, and works out when your employer's decision is due. Free to copy, download as Word or print.
Your right to ask
In England, Scotland and Wales, every employee can make a statutory request for flexible working from their first day in a job. You can make two statutory requests in any 12 months, but only one at a time.
Flexible working can mean fewer hours, different start and finish times, compressed hours, job sharing or working from home for some or all of the week.
What the request must say
You don't have to give a reason, or explain the effect on your employer, though a short note on how it could work often helps. A letter or an email are both fine.
That it is a statutory request for flexible working.
The date of the request.
The change you want, and when you would like it to start.
Whether you have made a previous request, and if so when.
What your employer must do
Your employer must consult you before turning a request down, and must make a decision, including any appeal, within two months of receiving it unless you both agree to extend that.
They can only refuse for one of eight business reasons: extra costs; harm to meeting customer demand; not being able to reorganise work among existing staff; not being able to recruit extra staff; harm to quality; harm to performance; not enough work at the times you want to work; or planned structural changes.
Flexible working request examples
Flexible working request for compressed hours
Four longer days, with a trial offered.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Statutory request for flexible working
I am writing to make a statutory request for flexible working in my role as Payroll Officer.
At the moment I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm, at the Leeds office. I would like to change this so that I work Monday to Thursday, 8am to 6.30pm, with Fridays off, starting on 4 January 2027.
I am asking because it would let me take my son to his weekly hospital appointments.
I think this could work well for the team: my Friday payroll checks can move to Thursday afternoons, and I would still be reachable for anything urgent.
I would be happy to try the new arrangement for a trial period first, so we can see how it works in practice.
I have not made a previous request for flexible working.
I would welcome the chance to discuss this with you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Priya Shah Payroll Officer
Flexible working request to work from home
Two days a week at home.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Statutory request for flexible working
I am writing to make a statutory request for flexible working in my role as Payroll Officer.
At the moment I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm, at the Leeds office. I would like to change this so that I work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from the office for the rest of the week, starting on 4 January 2027.
I think this could work well for the team: all my work is on our online systems, and I would keep my calendar open for calls.
I would be happy to try the new arrangement for a trial period first, so we can see how it works in practice.
I have not made a previous request for flexible working.
I would welcome the chance to discuss this with you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Priya Shah Payroll Officer
Flexible working request for fewer hours
Part-time, after a previous request.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Statutory request for flexible working
I am writing to make a statutory request for flexible working in my role as Payroll Officer.
At the moment I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm, at the Leeds office. I would like to change this so that I work three days a week, Monday to Wednesday, starting on 4 January 2027.
I am asking because I am now the main carer for my mother.
I made a previous request for flexible working on 2 March 2026.
I would welcome the chance to discuss this with you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Priya Shah Payroll Officer
Questions people ask
Can I request flexible working from day one?
Yes. In England, Scotland and Wales, the right to make a statutory request applies from your first day of employment. Northern Ireland has different rules.
How long does my employer have to reply?
Two months from receiving your request, including any appeal, unless you both agree to extend it. They must consult you before refusing.
Do I have to give a reason?
No. You can explain why if you want to, and how the change could work, but it isn't required.
Can my employer say no?
Yes, but only for one of eight business reasons, such as extra costs or not being able to meet customer demand, and only after consulting you.
How many times can I ask?
Two statutory requests in any 12 months, and only one can be under consideration at a time.
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