New plans to improve working conditions for employees will give millions of workers the right to request flexible working arranges from their first day.
Changes to rules being proposed by government will allow employees to request to make use of arrangements such as job-shares, flexitime and working compressed, annualised or staggered hours as well as hybrid home and office working. Flexible working has been found to help employees balance their work and home life, especially supporting those who have commitments or responsibilities such as caring for children or vulnerable people. It is hoped that the improved wellbeing that comes from flexible working arranges will help to boost the productivity of UK businesses, while also removing barriers to employment for certain groups.
If an employer cannot accommodate a request to work flexibly, they will be required to discuss alternative options before they can reject the request. For example, if it is not possible to change an employee’s working hours on all days, they could consider making the change for certain days instead.
Given how the varying suitability of different arrangements for different industries and job roles, the government will not instruct employers or employees on how to carry out their work, but rather to encourage conversations about flexible working and find arrangements that work for each side.
The new legislation, backed in the government’s response to the Making flexible working the default consultation, will also remove the requirement for employees to set out the effects of their flexible working requests to employers, removing a large administrative burden for both sides.
Minister for Small Business Kevin Hollinrake explained:
“Giving staff more say over their working pattern makes for happier employees and more productive businesses. Put simply, it’s a no-brainer.
“Greater flexibility over where, when, and how people work is an integral part of our plan to make the UK the best place in the world to work.”
The announcement comes alongside new protection from the lowest earners from exclusivity clauses in their employment contracts that can prevent them taking on other work to supplement their income.
Workers on contracts with a guaranteed weekly income on or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week will now be protected from exclusivity clauses being enforced against them, which restricted them from working for multiple employers. Around 1.5 million people are expected to benefit from the change, in particular gig economy workers, and those who may be unable to take on full time work such as students and carers.
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