Workers are to have more of a say in when, where, and how they work under new government plans to shake up remote working.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have today announced new government plans to make flexible working the default. Millions of employees will be able to request flexible working from day one at a job, rather than the current restriction that requires employees to have worked for a business for 26 weeks before they can request flexible working.
Businesses will also benefit from this move, as flexible working has been shown to boost productivity and staff retention. The plans include a new law to remove exclusivity clause restrictions, allowing them to work for multiple employers if they wish, giving more freedom to low-paid workers.
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Flexible working goes beyond a system combining working from home and in the office, and also includes employees making use of job-sharing, flexitime, and working compressed, annualised, or staggered hours. It has been found to help employees balance their work and home life, especially supporting those who have commitments or responsibilities such as caring for children or vulnerable people.
Minister for Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: "Giving staff more say over their working pattern makes for happier employees and more productive businesses. Put simply, it’s a no-brainer. Greater flexibility over where, when, and how people work is an integral part of our plan to make the UK the best place in the world to work."
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Workers on contracts with a guaranteed weekly income on or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week will now be protected from exclusivity clauses being enforced against them, which restricted them from working for multiple employers. While not everyone will want a second job, today’s laws on exclusivity clauses remove unnecessary red tape that prevents those who do.
If an employer cannot accommodate a request to work flexibly, they will be required to discuss alternative options before they can reject the request.
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