Government plans strengthen employment rights and productivity

New government plans will make it a right to request flexible working from the first day of a new job, as well as introducing a day one right to one-week’s unpaid leave for people balancing a job with caring responsibilities.

Under the plans around 2.2m more people will be given the right to request flexible working, delivering on a commitment set out in the government’s 2019 manifesto.

The proposals consider whether limiting an employee’s application for flexible working to one per year continues to represent the best balance between individual and business needs, and the consultation also looks at cutting the current three-month period an employer has to consider any request.

If an employer cannot accommodate a request, they would need to think about what alternatives they could offer such as changing hours on certain days instead of all working days.

Business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: ‘Empowering workers to have more say over where and when they work makes for more productive businesses and happier employees. It was once considered a ‘nice to have’, but by making requests a day one right, we’re making flexible working part of the DNA of businesses across the country.

‘A more engaged and productive workforce, a higher calibre of applicants and better retention rates – the business case for flexible working is compelling.’

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, added: ‘Juggling work with caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill is a demanding balancing act and without support from employers can be too much to manage.

‘Carers UK’s own research shows that pre-pandemic, every single day more than 600 people across the UK were giving up work to care for a loved one – with a devastating impact on their personal finances and at a huge cost to the wider UK economy.

‘Giving employees with caring responsibilities a legal right to unpaid carer’s leave and the ability to request flexible working from day one of starting their job is an important step forward for UK workers and could make a difference to millions – enabling carers to support their relatives whilst staying in work, maintaining social connections and improving their financial stability.’

You can find out more about the consultation and take part here.

In related news, lending to small businesses outside London through the government backed Start Up Loans scheme has passed the £600m milestone, helping to create jobs, expand businesses and level up areas.

Photo by Nick Morrison