CIPD Scotland has warned that Scottish employers must do more to address flexible working inequality to avoid creating a two-tier system.
The group analysed the ONS Labour Force Survey and found that the use of different flexible working arrangements is unequal across the UK.
The analysis also revealed big differences in the types of flexible working arrangements used within the different nations and regions.
Scotland was ranked fifth in terms of working arrangements. It ranked UK nations and regions from most to the least flexible.
However, it noted there were gaps between types of flexible working arrangements , which was a “concern”.
It reported Scotland does well on flexibility over where someone works, ranking fourth, but more progress is needed on flexibility over when someone works where it ranked eighth and ranked seventh for informal working flexibility.
To compile the league table, the CIPD looked at three types of flexible working:
· Flexibility over when someone works (flexible hours - including flexi-time, annualised hours, term-time working, job share, four and a half day week, zero hours contract)
· Flexibility over where someone works (able to work from home)
· Informal flexibility (how start and end time is determined, ability to take a couple of hours off during the working day to deal with personal matters, able to take leave at short notice, frequency of unforeseen work demands or available for work in free time).
Lee Ann Panglea, head of CIPD Scotland and Northern Ireland, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “We see huge differences in the availability of flexible working across the UK, but also within Scotland itself. It is important that we all recognise that homeworking is only one type of flexible work – not all jobs can be done from home, not everyone can work from home and not everyone wants to work from home.
“Scottish employers should think creatively about the flexibility they can provide to those that need to be in the physical workplace as well as those who can work remotely, ensuring everyone has fairness of opportunity.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free .
