British bosses to be forced to meet with employees who request flexible working

Louise Haigh told the TUC conference in Brighton that employers must take flexible working requests seriously. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Company bosses will have to sit down with workers who request flexible working and justify their reasons for any refusals under new rights announced by Louise Haigh on Tuesday.

The first secretary of state told the TUC conference that employers would have to “properly consider” requests for flexibility and offer a face-to-face meeting under new rights for workers.