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Reply to a flexible working request fairly

A member of staff has asked to change their hours, days or where they work. Get the steps and timescales from GOV.UK and Acas, a way to weigh it up and a clear reply either way.

Updated 17 Oct 2026

The prompt · ChatGPT

Help me respond to a flexible working request.

The request: [what they've asked for and from when]
The role: [what it involves, cover needed]
Impact I'm worried about: [details]
Options I could offer: [trial, part of the request]

First ask me up to 4 short questions. Wait for my answers.

Then:
1. Look up the GOV.UK and Acas pages on flexible working. Name them and explain the steps and timescales in plain words.
2. A fair pros-and-cons check.
3. Options between yes and no, including a trial.
4. Reply drafts: yes, yes with a trial, and a reasoned no.
5. A note for the meeting.

Not legal advice. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts or figures. UK English.

For GOV.UK and Acas flexible working pages, use web search and name the page you used. If it doesn't search on its own, open View all tools and choose Search.

Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.

A short example

Fill the blanks, then paste. what they've asked for and from when: a short note you already have. what it involves, cover needed: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.

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