How to Negotiate Flexible Working with Your Employer (with email templates)

Flexible work isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s becoming a non-negotiable for many. Whether you’re negotiating hybrid work, compressed hours, or a part-time return after parental leave, it’s about creating a working pattern that supports both your life and your career.

And if you’re worried about how it might look to ask, don’t be. In the UK, every employee has a legal right to request flexible working after 26 weeks in a role. And thanks to the Flexible Working Act 2023, that right is set to expand even further.

Bonus: Flexible working has been shown to boost retention, productivity, and job satisfaction, so it’s as beneficial for employers as it is for employees.

Step 1: Clarify what you want

Get specific. Do you want to work from home two days a week? Start later to manage school drop-offs? Compress your hours into four days? Pin it down before initiating the conversation.

Step 2: Understand the business context

Frame your request in a way that aligns with your employer’s goals. For example:

• How will this improve your productivity?
• How does it support team collaboration?
• What evidence can you offer that it won’t impact business needs?

Step 3: Make the request professionally

Whether you’re negotiating flexible working hours in a current role or discussing it during a job offer negotiation, your tone should be positive, collaborative, and confident. Don’t apologise for asking – own it.

Subject: Flexible Working Request

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I hope you’re well. I’d like to explore the possibility of adjusting my working pattern to better align with my current responsibilities outside of work. Specifically, I’d love to discuss [e.g. starting at 10am and finishing at 6pm, or working from home 2 days a week].

I’ve considered how this would affect the team and am confident it won’t impact my ability to meet deadlines or collaborate effectively. I’d be happy to trial this arrangement for a period of time and review it together.

Let me know if there’s a good time to chat further.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Subject: Working Pattern Flexibility – Offer Discussion

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

Thank you again for the offer for [Job Title]. I’m really excited about the opportunity and the work your team is doing.

Before moving forward, I wanted to ask whether the role offers any flexibility in terms of [e.g. hybrid working, compressed hours, or adjusted start times]. A more flexible working arrangement would allow me to bring my best to the role, and I’d love to find a setup that works for both of us.

Let me know your thoughts and whether we can discuss this further.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Subject: Request for Part-Time Working Arrangement

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I wanted to explore the option of moving to part-time hours, specifically [e.g. 3 days per week or reduced daily hours], to better balance my personal commitments with work.

I’m committed to maintaining the quality and consistency of my work and would be happy to discuss how to manage priorities within a part-time schedule.

Let me know a time that suits you to talk this through.

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]