Flexible working arrangement for new employees in the UK
The UK government has proposed that new employees be given the right to ask for flexible arrangements from their first day at work. This is good news for millions of workers who would otherwise have to wait 26 weeks to seek flexible working arrangements, as set out under the current law.
With the notion of flexible working continuing post-COVID-19, the needs of employees are slowly being met and integrated into the world of work. After all, working flexibly has been shown to increase productivity. This Pacific Prime UK article goes into the finer details of this milestone announcement.
Flexible working arrangement for UK employees
“Millions of employees will be able to request flexible working from day one of their employment, under new government plans to make flexible working the default.” – UK government
The announcement marks the beginning of change, albeit a step in the right direction for employees who lean strongly towards flexible work arrangements. For new starters, the proposal will seemingly normalise the conversations or even break the ice between staff and management, which may help form better relations and establish clear expectations.
Alternatives to hybrid working are available for UK employees
Interestingly, the government’s flexible working proposal refers to more than just a combination of working from home and in the office, or hybrid working, as we know it to be. It also incorporates other options for employees to agree with their employers, like job-sharing, flexitime, and working compressed, annualised or staggered hours.
And if employers cannot agree to a request for employees to work flexibly, they will have to discuss alternative options. For instance, if an employee’s working hours cannot change due to the nature of their work, the employer will have to consider taking on the employee’s request on another day instead.
Is a four-day workweek a future option for employees?
Since early June 2022, 70 UK companies have participated in a six-month trial where 3,000 people worked fewer hours for 100% of their salary. And following the end of the trial in December 2022, the results are expected to be shared in February 2023, with many companies suggesting plans to allow their employees to continue with the arrangement.
According to the BBC, one worker said, “It’s forced us to be more pragmatic, more proactive and manage our time more effectively, in other words focusing on the most time-critical work,” while the managing director of the company mentioned, “We’re 101% productive in 80% of the time.”
Further reading: What you should know about a four-day workweek
The benefits of a flexible working request
As experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible working arrangements brought many new benefits that employees have received up and down the UK. Not only will the new proposal allow workers to establish a better work-life balance and the opportunity to perform autonomously, but it will help create fairer, more inclusive work environments and help businesses attract diverse talent seeking flexible jobs. Something that most businesses across the UK will agree to as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandates. Learn about Pacific Prime’s CSR here.
In fact, a flexible work policy appeals to a range of cohorts, from older workers who wish to work beyond retirement to individuals with caring duties and those with disabilities, vulnerabilities or health conditions. The inclusivity is indeed broad and represents a significant milestone in the eyes of those who have campaigned for equal opportunities.
Learn more trends from Pacific Prime UK
As a leading health insurance broker and employee benefits specialist, Pacific Prime UK can advise, review and design employee benefit plans or offer tailored corporate solutions that match your needs and budget.
We have more than 20 years of experience helping corporates in the UK and across the globe, and we are also a go-to specialist for learning about the latest employee benefits trends.
Reach out to our corporate consultants to learn more today!
His expert view and wealth of knowledge on insurance can also be found in his blogs for the UK, China, Dubai, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
- Flexible working arrangement for new employees in the UK - December 7, 2022
- Introducing Pacific Prime’s Global Employee Benefits Trends Report 2022 - November 25, 2022
- The world’s 3 most popular business travel destinations - November 3, 2022
Comments
Comments for this post are closed.
We'll notify you
when our team replies!