Businesses could soon be inundated with requests for flexible working, but that’s a good thing
As Britain prepares to enforce the Flexible Working Act on April 6, new research from Slack shows that more than half of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are about to experience a surge in flexible working requests. receive works.
The bill will allow all employees to make a statutory request for flexible working from the first day of employment, taking into account changes to how long, when and where they work. Employees will also be able to submit two requests per year, compared to one previously, and employers will have two months to make a decision, instead of three.
New research from Slack shows that the UK’s Flexible Working Act could be a good thing as it is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s employment landscape.
Britain is preparing for flexible working law
A survey of 1,000 UK office workers found there is strong demand for flexible working arrangements, with three in four believing they will increase productivity and boost the UK economy. Slack estimates that more than half (55%) of employees plan to make flexible work requests when the new rules take effect at the end of this week, coinciding with the new tax year.
However, with fewer SMEs (67%) working flexibly compared to larger enterprises (81%), the bill is expected to see smaller businesses see an influx of requests for flexible working.
Alarmingly, the research shows that seven in ten (71%) UK SMEs have not proactively informed their employees about the coming changes, with one in three not having the option to work flexibly.
While SMEs expressed concerns about the productivity impact and quality of work when it comes to flexible working, Slack revealed that two-thirds of SME employees were more likely to apply for a job based on the company’s flexible working policy, which potential missed talent highlighted for companies unwilling to apply. exploring flexible working. This figure stands at three-quarters (76%) among those aged 18-34.
With the flexible working law set to introduce one of the biggest changes ever to the country’s workforce, Slack’s report urges companies to proactively adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of an increasingly digital and flexible workforce, walk differently they risk losing talent and sacrificing growth.