Short answer
Flexible working refusal enquiries should identify the request date, working pattern proposed, employer decision, consultation steps, refusal reasons, appeal route, discrimination or caring context and ACAS or tribunal timing. Legal4U cannot decide whether a refusal is unlawful.
Quick checklist
Start with these
Collect Request, Consultation And Decision Records
Save the written request, proposed hours or location, meeting notes, consultation invitations, manager questions, employer decision letter, appeal papers, policy documents and any previous flexible working arrangements.
- written request
- working pattern
- meeting note
- decision letter
- policy
Organise Impact And Alternative Evidence
Prepare records about childcare, disability, health, caring responsibilities, travel, team cover, trial-period suggestions, rejected alternatives, rota or workload data and any comparator information. Keep sensitive records clearly labelled.
- care evidence
- health record
- trial suggestion
- rota data
- alternative proposal
Flag Appeal, Grievance And Timing Questions
Tell Legal4U whether an internal appeal, grievance, discrimination concern, maternity or disability issue, redundancy overlap or ACAS early conciliation date is live. An employment specialist must review routes and deadlines.
- appeal
- grievance
- discrimination concern
- redundancy overlap
- ACAS date
General information only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland need separate content checks.
Content governance
Editorial and source information
- Author
- Legal4U Editorial Team
- Professional review status
- Pending. Employment-law solicitor, barrister or regulated workplace-rights specialist review required before publication as legal guidance.
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Date published
- 1 September 2026
- Regulatory status
- Legal4U is a legal enquiry intake and professional matching platform, not a law firm.
- Sources
-
- Statutory flexible working requests Acas. Checked 8 September 2026.
- Considering a request Acas. Checked 8 September 2026.
- Flexible working GOV.UK. Checked 8 September 2026.
- Editorial policy
- Legal4U guides are written to help users prepare structured enquiries. The professional-review status and reviewer details are shown separately on each guide.
- Correction process
- Corrections or update requests can be sent through the Legal4U contact page for editorial review.
- Information and advice
- This page is general information only and is not legal advice. Legal advice is provided only by an authorised professional or firm after they accept instructions.
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If your matter is urgent, include hearing dates, court deadlines, orders and any documents you already have when you submit your enquiry.
