Embracing the future of work: An inside look at the upcoming Flexible Working Bill

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the concept of flexible working has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once perceived as a workplace luxury granted to a select few high-performing, tenured employees has evolved into an essential and highly sought-after benefit for both current and prospective workers.

Recent findings from our global Talent Trends survey conducted by PageGroup revealed that a staggering 67% of respondents consider flexible or hybrid working policies as the most crucial factor when evaluating a new job opportunity.

The conversation surrounding flexible working has ignited a flurry of debates and discussions, with countless articles and surveys weighing the pros and cons of this paradigm shift. Topics range from the potential erosion of workplace culture and the challenges of implementation to the financial implications of maintaining underutilised office spaces and the impact on productivity, for better or worse.

Amidst this ongoing dialogue, the impending changes to the Flexible Working Bill, set to be introduced in the spring of 2024, have stirred fresh debates and apprehensions. While advocates argue that these changes do not go far enough, many employers are anxious about the potentially unsustainable demands the bill may place on their businesses.

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Understanding the Flexible Working Bill changes

To navigate this evolving landscape effectively, it is essential to comprehend the key alterations the bill will introduce. This new legislation aims to empower employees by allowing them to submit flexible working requests twice every 12 months instead of just once. Moreover, the response time for employers to reply to such requests will be shortened from three months to two. Perhaps most significantly, employers will be required to engage in consultations with employees before rejecting their flexible working proposals.

It is worth noting that in the United Kingdom, approximately 70% of formal flexible working requests are currently denied. The concern among campaigners is whether these changes will significantly improve this statistic.

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Embrace change for a more inclusive workplace

For employers, it is time to distinguish between flexible and agile working. It is advisable to begin adapting internal policies to align with the forthcoming changes and foster a culture of open communication and trust among HR teams, line managers, and employees.

Additionally, consider revising job descriptions and the flexible working options included in job advertisements to reflect the evolving landscape.

Embracing the changes brought about by the Flexible Working Bill represents a significant step toward making the workplace accessible to millions of people and should be viewed as a powerful attraction and retention tool. Preparing for these changes involves staying informed and proactively building an environment of effective communication.

Gain more insights on the Flexible Working Bill ?

The future of work is evolving rapidly, and those who adapt and embrace flexibility will be best positioned to thrive in this dynamic landscape.

Our upcoming webinar, ‘The Flexible Working Bill - Navigating the Changes and Misconceptions’, is your opportunity to delve deeper into these changes, gain insights from experts, and prepare for a future where flexibility is not just a perk but a fundamental aspect of the modern workplace.

Don't miss out on this chance to shape the future of work for yourself and your organisation.

Register today!

In this exclusive PageGroup webinar we’ll be exploring the below topics:

·?????? Decoding the Flexible Working Bill: Understand the intricacies of the new legislation and how to seamlessly integrate it into your organisational framework.?

·?????? Effective implementation strategies: Explore best practices for introducing and sustaining flexible work arrangements.

·?????? Embracing the benefits for your business: Discover how leveraging flexibility can positively impact your hiring success, fostering employee satisfaction and engagement.

There will also be a helpful Q&A session, in which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to our expert panel of speakers.

Join us on October 3rd, 2023 – we hope to see you there!