Seven in 10 (70%) of UK HR managers now say flexible working could work for their business

According to new research, half (49%) of UK HR managers agree that greater flexible working could work for their business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, building on the one in five (21%) who say that their business already enabled significant flexible working before the pandemic.  

The poll, run by YouGov for the TUC, shows that employer attitudes towards flexible working arrangements have shifted markedly during the pandemic.

Only one in four (24%) of the HR managers polled say they won’t enable significant flexible working at their company or business following the pandemic.

The TUC is calling for the government to unlock the flexibility in every job by introducing a new duty on employers to include the possible flexible working options in all job adverts and giving every worker the right to work flexibly.

More than six in ten (62 per cent) of HR managers said it would be easy to include specific information about the pattern of home or remote working available in each role in each job advert, or they already do this.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “During the pandemic, many people were able to work flexibly or from home for the first time. Staff and bosses both saw the benefits this flexibility can bring.

“But the current system is broken. A right to ask for flexible working is no right at all – especially when bosses can turn down requests with impunity.

“Attitudes to all types of flexible working changed significantly in the pandemic. Ministers need to take advantage of this – and make sure all workers can get the flexible working they need.

“Flexible working is how we keep mums in work and close the gender pay gap. It enables dads to spend more time with their kids. It helps disabled workers and carers stay in their jobs – and in employment.

“Ministers must change the law: all jobs must be advertised with the possible flexible options clearly stated, and all workers must have the legal right to work flexibly from their first day in a job.”