Millions of workers across the UK will have increased flexibility over where and when they work, following the Flexible Working Bill coming into effect on April 6.
Workers now have the right to request flexible working from the first day of a new job, with employers legally required to consider requests and provide reasons for rejection.
This comes after a wave of wins for workers after a record increase in National Minimum Wage and improved employee protection for parents and unpaid careers.
A report from Slack in January showcased a strong want among employees across the UK for flexible working, with 55% of workers planning to request these arrangements.
Seventy percent of workers are more likely to apply for a job based on the company’s flexible working policy – particularly increasing to 76% for ages between 18 and 34.
Delivering on a 2019 Manifesto commitment to encourage flexible working, the Act will require employers to consider and discuss the requests made from employees, who have the right to two requests a year.
A study conducted by Stanford University in 2022 found that remote workers are 9% more productive than those working in a physical office.
Remote working provides a series of benefits to both employees and businesses, including improved employee satisfaction which ultimately boosts productivity and revenues in return for businesses.
Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director at Zoho UK, said: “The introduction of the Flexible Working Bill is a great step forward for staff, giving employees greater control over their work life. This legislation facilitates remote and hybrid working models, enabling staff to live away from offices in overcrowded urban centres, enjoy a more affordable lifestyle and stay closer to family and friends. It could also help to distribute skills and expertise more evenly nationwide.
“Technology plays an important role in facilitating work-from-anywhere practices, creating a seamless experience for employees regardless of whether they are at home or in the office. Real-time collaboration and communication technology, in particular, as part of wider unified systems, can allow teams to work simultaneously on tasks and stay connected at all times. This helps businesses to maintain staff productivity and motivation, while improving the employee experience due to the greater flexibility afforded by remote work.”