Work Life Balance Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Gives employees a stronger right to ask for flexible or remote working from day one, instead of waiting six months, and requires employers to decide requests fairly and within four weeks. It also sets rules for approving, changing, ending, or returning from these arrangements, and protects workers from being penalised for using these rights. The aim is to make work easier to fit around caring duties, family life, and other responsibilities while giving both workers and employers clearer rules.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide an entitlement to employees to request certain flexible working arrangements, to make certain provision for amending or terminating any such arrangements that have been agreed with an employer, to give further effect to Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 8 May 2026