Understanding Flexible Working in the UK

Flexible working refers to any working arrangement that provides employees with greater flexibility in how they fulfil their work responsibilities. This can include variations in working hours, location, or patterns, allowing individuals to better accommodate their personal needs and commitments. 

In the United Kingdom, flexible working is supported by legislation that gives employees the right to request flexible working arrangements from their employers. This right is granted to all employees who have been with their employer for at least 26 weeks. Employers are legally required to consider such requests in a reasonable manner.

According to research from the UK government's official website, flexible working has numerous benefits for both employers and employees. It can improve employee morale, boost productivity, enhance work-life balance, and even reduce absenteeism.

On average 57% of mothers leave the workforce after maternity leave, this could be due to mental-health, redundancy or the impossibility of juggling work and family reported by Rancontuer.net. The government hope that by introducing new laws to flexible working, that more mothers will return to the workplace. 

In April 2024, new changes are set to take effect regarding flexible working policies in the UK, as reported by GOV.uk. These changes are aimed at further enhancing the flexibility available to employees and ensuring that businesses are able to adapt to the evolving needs of the workforce.

Some of the key changes expected to be implemented in April 2024 include:

1. The scope of flexible working arrangements is expected to be expanded, allowing employees to request changes beyond just variations in working hours or location.
2. UK Employees will be able to request flexible working from the first day of their employment - old law stated an employee had to be in post for 26 weeks before applying for flexible working. 
3. Employees are now allowed to make 2 flexible working requests in any 12-month period as appose to the old law of 1 request every 12 months. 
4. Employers are now required to response quicker to flexible working requests, now within 2 months, not 3. 

 Employers can begin implementing flexible working policies by:

1. Reviewing existing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current legislation and upcoming changes.
2. Communicating openly with employees about the company's stance on flexible working and how requests will be handled.
3. Providing training and support for managers to effectively manage flexible teams and maintain productivity.
4. Offering technology solutions to enable remote work and flexible scheduling.
5. Continuously monitoring and evaluating the impact of flexible working arrangements on employee satisfaction and business performance.

Flexible working is a valuable tool for promoting work-life balance, enhancing employee satisfaction, and driving productivity in the modern workplace. By understanding the policies and upcoming changes related to flexible working in the UK, employers can create a more adaptable and inclusive work environment that meets the needs of their workforce. If you have any questions or would like assistance in implementing flexible working policies in your organization, please don't hesitate to contact us.