The Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 will come into force on 1 September 2022! Under this Act, employees can apply to their employers to work flexibly, but do you know what flexible working is?
Flexible working means that employees are free to adjust the length of their working hours provided that they complete the required work tasks. Flexible working can replace the system of fixed time commuting.
In simple terms, flexible working means that employees are free to adjust their working hours, but every company has different policies. Some companies will use normal working hours to give employees the option to work 1-2 hours earlier or later, so that the standardized working hours of 9 to 5 can become “8 to 4” or “10 to 6”.
Some companies will allow employees to choose the hours they want to work, as long as they work 8 hours a day, communicate with their team and set goals to get the work done.
Under the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into force in September, employees who wish to work flexible hours must make a formal written request to their employer. The written letter must clearly state the details of the hours, days and location of work.
Upon receipt of the employee’s application, the employer must respond in writing within 60 days, i.e., accept or reject the application. If the employer rejects the employee’s application, it must give a valid reason.
