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Flexible working agreed decision extension letter

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Our Flexible Working Agreed Decision Extension Letter Template streamlines extension requests, ensuring efficient communication and flexibility.

If you are seeking agreement to an extension of up to two weeks of the decision period to decide an employee's request for flexible working, issue this model letter template.

Reading time
How long to understand and implement this letter?
10 mins
Word count
How many words in this letter?
332
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What is a Flexible working agreed decision extension letter?

An employer would issue a Flexible working agreed decision extension letter when they require more time to consider an employee's request for flexible working arrangements. The letter informs the employee that the employer has not yet reached a decision on the request, but is willing to extend the decision-making period.

There may be various reasons why an employer would need to extend the decision-making period, such as the need to gather more information or to consult with other stakeholders. The Flexible working agreed decision extension letter would typically include a new deadline for the employer to make a decision.

This letter is an important communication tool as it shows the employer's commitment to giving the employee's request proper consideration. It also helps to manage the employee's expectations and provides them with a clear timeline for when they can expect to hear back from their employer. This can help to reduce anxiety and stress on the employee's part, while also allowing the employer to make a well-informed decision that takes into account the needs of both the employee and the business.

Best practice timescale for this to be issued
When should this letter be issued?
As soon as possible after an agreement has been reached to extend the decision timescale
Issued by who, to whom
Who should issue this letter, and to whom?
The Employer (you) to the Employee
Applicable legal jurisdiction
In which jurisdiction can this letter be used?
Great Britain & NI (United Kingdom)

What legislation and best practice guidelines have been taken into account in the development of this template?

Employers have a legal obligation to respond to an employee's flexible working request within two months of receiving it. However, in some cases, the employer may require more time to consider the request properly. In such cases, the employer can agree to extend the decision-making period.

  • Employers should notify the employee in writing within the original decision period that they are considering the request and that they may require an extension of up to an additional two weeks.

  • Employers should only use the extension period when they need additional time to gather information, consult with others, or consider the request properly.

  • Employers should inform the employee of the new deadline for the decision within the extension period.

  • If the employer decides to grant the request, they should inform the employee in writing of the changes to their working arrangements and the date on which the changes will come into effect.

  • If the employer decides to refuse the request, they should provide clear reasons for the decision in writing and explain the appeals process.

In summary, while employers are required to respond to flexible working requests within three months, they can agree to an extension of up to two weeks.

Flexible working agreed decision extension [Delete this line]

[Company name]

[Sender address]

 

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

 

Agreed extension of flexible working request outcome

I am writing to you about your flexible working request dated [insert date which appeared on employee's request], which we received on [insert date employer received the request].

Initially, the law requires us to notify you of our decision on your request within three months of the day on which we received it] However, we may agree between us to extend that initial decision period.

[As set out in my letter to you of [insert date], we previously agreed between us to extend the decision period so that we would not be obliged to notify you of our decision on your request until [insert expiry date for current applicable decision period].]

The decision period [therefore ][expires OR expired] on [insert expiry date for current applicable decision period].

However, on [insert date when agreement was reached for most recent extension or further extension] we agreed [describe when and how the agreement was reached, eg at a meeting held at place X, attended by P, Q and R] that the decision period should be[ further] extended so that it will not expire until [insert newly agreed expiry date]. This means that we are now obliged to notify you of our decision on your request on or before that date.

This letter is sent by way of confirmation of the agreement we reached on [insert date when agreement was reached for most recent extension or further extension]. Please sign and date the confirmation slip below and return it to [the HR department] as soon as possible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I acknowledge and confirm my agreement to extend the decision period in relation to my flexible working request dated [insert date which appeared on employee's request] (received by [insert name of employer business] on [insert date employer received the request]) until [insert newly agreed expiry date]. This means that [insert name of employer business] is now obliged to notify me of its decision on my request on or before that date.

Signed: ____________________

[Insert employee's name]

Dated: ____________________

Yours [faithfully | sincerely],

 

 

[Sender name]

[Sender job title]

[Sender telephone]
[Sender email]

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£ 9

Get much more with our
Flexible and hybrid working template toolkit:
£25

In which communication or process sequence does this template belong?

Previous step
Policies
Flexible working policy

Our Flexible Working Policy outlines guidelines for employees seeking alternative work arrangements, fostering work-life balance and productivity.

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Flexible working agreed decision extension letter template
Next step
Letters
Flexible working request acceptance letter template

Use this model letter to provide an employee with formal acceptance of their flexible working request.

Flexible working agreed decision extension letter
flexible working agreed decision extension letter