New flexible working measures to benefit millions
Employees across the UK will be given even more flexibility over where and when they work, as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill receives Royal Assent.
Delivering on a 2019 Manifesto commitment to encourage flexible working, the Act will require employers to consider and discuss any requests made by their employee - who will have the right to two requests a year - within two months of a request, down from three.
Flexible working is a broad term and can relate to working hours or pattern including part-time, term-time, flexi-time, compressed hours, or adjusting start and finish times. It can also include flexibility over where someone works, whether that be from home or a satellite office shortening their commute.
As well as clear benefits to workers, the measures are also good for British business. Research has shown companies that embrace flexible working can attract more talent, improve staff motivation and reduce staff turnover – boosting their business’s productivity and competitiveness.
CIPD research shows that 6 percent of employees changed jobs last year specifically due to a lack of flexible options and 12 percent left their profession altogether due to a lack of flexibility within the sector. This represents almost 2 and 4 million workers respectively.
Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: "A happier workforce means increased productivity, and that’s why we’re backing measures to give people across the UK even more flexibility over where and when they work.
"Not only does flexible working help individuals fit work alongside other commitments – whether it’s the school drop off, studying or caring for vulnerable friends and family – it’s good business sense too, helping firms to attract more talent, increase retention and improve workforce diversity.
"I want to thank Yasmin Qureshi MP, and all the campaigners who have helped make this Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK."
Workers will benefit from the following new protections once in force:
- New requirements for employers to consult with the employee before rejecting their flexible working request.
- Permission to make two statutory requests in any 12-month period (rather than the current one request).
- Reduced waiting times for decisions to be made(within which an employer administers the statutory request) from three months to two months.
- The removal of existing requirements that the employee must explain what effect, if any, the change applied for would have on the employer and how that effect might be dealt with.
Alongside the measures in the Bill, millions of workers will be given the right to request flexible working from day one of a new job. This will bring an estimated 2.2 million more employees in scope of the entitlement following a change in regulations.
The new Bill has been welcomed by those within the workplace and facilities management sector.
Hazel Bedson, Marketing & Operations Director at Service Works Global said: “The imminent passing of this Bill should be on the radar of every business leader and FM professional. Whilst the Flexible Working Bill is undoubtedly a huge leap forward in terms of inclusivity for employees, the potential of more staff requesting flexible work could create challenges for business leaders that are unprepared for fluctuating levels of office occupancy.
“Smart technology and data will be critical tools for leaders that want to understand how and when their spaces are being used. The benefits are numerous, from improved sustainability by only using energy when and where required, through to cost savings by scheduling cleaning and maintenance schedules around quiet times in the office. Tools can be extended for employee use for tasks such as a desk and room booking. Even if more employees opt for flexible work, they have an expectation of their workplace and technology can ensure that is met, making their day run much more smoothly.”
Charlotte Parr at Portfolio, Churchill’s specialist cleaning service provider added: "Flexible working is here to stay, this monumental change with the implementation of the flexible working bill means that the state of flex the FM market has been adapting to is very much here to stay. Since the pandemic, FM providers have been working hard to create flexible solutions for our clients that meet the ever-changing demands of the office, but one thing is for certain, now more than ever, we must play our part in creating destinations of choice.
"Modern working is about so much more than the 9 – 5, it's about creating workspaces that give people the freedom to create, to feel safe and comfortable and to increase their performance.
"We are working hard to create sustainable destinations and a future-proof environment, which means more collaboration with service partners and building users alike and creating the same sense of community you would feel in your hometown, all while looking at data trends and working with service partners on flexible delivery solutions.
"Flexible working gives people the freedom to choose where they work best, and as an industry, we stand on the edge of a new evolution of workplace experience, what an exciting time to play our part."