扒哥吃瓜

Skip to main content
Closed consultation

Make Work Pay: improving access to flexible working

From:
Department for Business and Trade, The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP and Kate Dearden MP
Published
5 February 2026
Last updated
20 April 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

We are analysing your feedback

Visit this page again soon to download the outcome to this public feedback.

Summary

We are seeking views on a new process for employers to follow when handling flexible working requests, as well as insights on flexible working practices more broadly.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Through the we are introducing a new process for employers to follow if they think they might need to reject a flexible working request.

We are running this consultation to make sure this new process meets the needs of both employers and employees.

This consultation seeks views on:

  • a proposed new light touch process for employers consulting with employees where a request cannot be immediately agreed
  • what training, resources and support can help businesses navigate flexible working requests
  • other ways to improve access to flexible working

Anyone can respond to this consultation, and we particularly welcome views from those with insight into this topic and those with experience making or handling flexible working requests.

Documents

Make Work Pay: consultation on improving access to flexible working (web version)

HTML

PDF, 333 KB, 35 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

PDF, 320 KB, 49 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Make Work Pay: consultation on improving access to flexible working (British Sign Language version)

HTML

PDF, 5.15 MB, 34 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

PDF, 461 KB, 22 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 5 February 2026
Last updated 20 April 2026 show all updates

  1. Updated 'Next steps' section of 'Make Work Pay: consultation on improving access to flexible working (web version)' to show the correct closing date and time of 11:59pm on 30 April 2026.

  2. 'Make Work Pay: consultation on improving access to flexible working (easy read PDF version)' added.

  3. 'Make Work Pay: consultation on improving access to flexible working (British Sign Language version)' added.

  4. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content