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Flexible and part-time work
By Nancy Osazee, Founder
A part-time job is advertised with part-time hours. A flexible-working request is something an employee makes after they have the job. They are different tools.
From the first day of employment, an employee can make a statutory flexible-working request. GOV.UK says you can make two requests in 12 months, and the employer should decide within two months unless you agree longer. That right is to ask, not to be given the pattern.
Written by Nancy Osazee, Founder of CareerPilot. This is a practical note, not advice about your own visa, contract, or legal case. Read the official page linked on this sheet before you rely on a figure.
What to look for in the advert
- The hours, the days, and whether they are fixed.
- Whether the pay is pro-rated from a full-time salary, and the holiday rule.
- Where the work happens. Home, site, or a mix.
What not to assume
A full-time advert does not become part-time because you need it to. You can ask, after you are an employee, through the statutory request. The employer can refuse for a business reason set out in the law. A further change to that test has been consulted on and is not the rule on this page.
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On CareerPilot
These are roles the employer labelled part-time, or whose title says part-time.
Questions
Can I demand part-time hours at the interview?
You can ask what the pattern is. A statutory request is for employees, from day one, and it is a request. Get the advertised hours in writing before you rely on them.
Does 'flexible' in an advert mean I choose the hours?
No. Read the sentence. It may mean the employer wants you to flex, not that you can.
Where do I see the request rules?
On GOV.UK, Applying for flexible working. There is also an Acas code of practice.
Sources
Last checked 10 October 2026.