Flexible working

Are blanket flexible working laws the right thing for UK businesses?

A government move to introduce a day-one right to request flexible working has received a mixed response from campaigners and employers. 

Labour pledges to reform sick pay and ban zero-hours contracts

Labour’s promise to extend and increase sick pay to all workers has been welcomed by unions and charities.

Older workers ceasing employment earlier due to COVID

Older workers have been exiting the workforce earlier since March 2020, according to new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) analysis.

UK employees working extra hours due to COVID

Over half of UK employers say their staff work additional unpaid hours every day.

One in 10 Scottish workers in unstable work

One in 10 employees in Scotland (over 200,000 people) have said their work does not give them a stable or predictable income.

Roadmap out of lockdown: what HR can expect

It is over a year since the pandemic began and businesses are still looking to their people professionals for direction. However, this time it’s to steer them into whatever the ‘next normal’ phase of...

What’s holding back a flexible working Bill for employees?

A private member’s bill that seeks to reform the law on flexible working was introduced into Parliament in June. Put forward by Tulip Siddiq, shadow education minister, the Bill has cross-party...

Employers encouraged to 'get tough' on employees refusing to re-enter the workplace

Workers have ignored Rishi Sunak's call to go back to offices and are continuing to work from home despite the lifting of government advice on July 19.

Flexible working causing divide between leaders and employees

The gap between employer and employee could widen post-pandemic as flexible working divides opinion in the workplace.

Hospitality sector offering more employee benefits

Over 93,000 EU workers have left the UK’s hospitality sector in the last year, and now the industry is offering better pay and more flexibility to attract more staff.

Four-day working week case study: Arken

Software service provider Arken has successfully moved to a four-day working week after finding staff were happier and just as productive working these hours throughout the pandemic.

HR under more pressure as businesses shift to remote work

Two-thirds (64%) of HR specialists are expecting heightened work pressures as their organisations introduce more homeworking.