Flexible working - Trial period

  • Customisable for your business
  • Legally compliant
  • Quick and easy to complete

Use this template flexible working letter to set a trial period for you to test whether a particular arrangement works for both your business and your employee.

It is ideal to test whether the changes will work in practice without having to go to the trouble of formally changing the terms of the employee’s contract and then changing them back again if the arrangement does not work.

This letter complies with the necessary legal requirements to set up a flexible working trial by agreement with your employee. It is important to get it right. If you do not, you can end up in breach of your duties as an employer.

The letter has a place for the employee to sign and return a copy to indicate their agreement to the trial which you should keep for your records.

You can also get this document as part of the Flexible working toolkit.

Q&A

  • When should I use this document?

    Use this letter to make proper arrangements to trial a suggested flexible working arrangement for a limited period. It is a good way to make sure that whatever plan you have settled on does actually work well in practice.

    If it becomes clear that the flexible working solution you have agreed is not ideal for any reason, you will then have the option to change it and try something else if you want, or reject the flexible working request altogether if appropriate.

  • What does this document cover?

    This letter sets out:

    • the flexible work arrangements that you are agreeing to test;

    • the start date and length of the trial period; and

    • arrangements for a follow-up meeting to review how the trial went and to gather any final feedback before you make a decision on whether to make the arrangement permanent.

  • Why do I need this document?

    This template letter will help you be clear about what arrangements you are putting in place, as well as the fact that they are for a trial period. Trials can bring clarity about what works best to the employee who has made the flexible working request, as well as to your business, so they can beneficial to both sides.

    Additionally, having a trial demonstrates to your employee that you are taking their request seriously and are open to the possibility that some kind of flexible arrangement could work.

    This letter also provides a space for your employee to sign and return, confirming that they agree to the proposed trial, so you have a written record.

  • Where can I find out more?

    Full, detailed guidance about flexible working arrangements can be found in Staff flexible working.

    If you have just received a flexible working request and want to acknowledge the request and arrange a meeting with your employee to discuss, you should use Flexible Working - Acknowledgment of request and invitation to a meeting first.

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