<p>The Department speaks regularly with employers and business representative organisations about flexible working. These discussions have covered a range of issues, including the importance of flexible working in managing employees with long term health conditions, such as long covid.</p><p>In December 2022 the Government announced plans[1] to make the right to request flexible working a day one right, alongside other changes to make flexible working more accessible to all employees. The Government is pleased to support the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Private Members’ Bill[2] which will deliver several of these changes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/making-flexible-working-the-default" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/making-flexible-working-the-default</a></p><p>[2] <a href="https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3198" target="_blank">https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3198</a></p>