[UK] Government to reform work from home rights

In the UK, the government has announced planned reforms intended to make it easier for employees to work from home. The new flexible working rules are expected to come into force in 2027, Wales Online reports.

The government’s reforms are aimed at increasing the likelihood of flexible working requests being approved. It pledged to put 'power back into the hands of working people'.

Addressing the annual Trade Unions Congress (TUC) in Brighton, Louise Haigh reportedly said businesses would be required to demonstrate they had "properly" considered a worker's request before refusing it.

Ms Haigh said, "That is what putting power back into the hands of working people looks like. Life isn't always as neat as employers would like it to be.

"There's kids to pick up. Parents to look after. Families who rely on us at short notice. And sometimes, a little bit of flexibility can make all the difference."

According to Birmingham Live, Ms Haigh stated that while "not every job can be done from home and not every request can be agreed", each request "can be taken seriously". She added, "If an employer wants to turn down a request, they will have to sit down with their employee, properly consider and explain why."

Paul Nowak - TUC's general secretary - said flexible working is not "just a perk, it's a lifeline". 

Mr Nowak said, "That's why this move is a welcome step forward. It makes it harder for employers to turn down requests while giving workers a stronger voice in the process.

"Improving access to flexible working benefits workers, businesses and the economy - whether it's through increasing staff productivity or higher retention."

Source: Wales Online

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the government has announced planned reforms intended to make it easier for employees to work from home. The new flexible working rules are expected to come into force in 2027, Wales Online reports.

The government’s reforms are aimed at increasing the likelihood of flexible working requests being approved. It pledged to put 'power back into the hands of working people'.

Addressing the annual Trade Unions Congress (TUC) in Brighton, Louise Haigh reportedly said businesses would be required to demonstrate they had "properly" considered a worker's request before refusing it.

Ms Haigh said, "That is what putting power back into the hands of working people looks like. Life isn't always as neat as employers would like it to be.

"There's kids to pick up. Parents to look after. Families who rely on us at short notice. And sometimes, a little bit of flexibility can make all the difference."

According to Birmingham Live, Ms Haigh stated that while "not every job can be done from home and not every request can be agreed", each request "can be taken seriously". She added, "If an employer wants to turn down a request, they will have to sit down with their employee, properly consider and explain why."

Paul Nowak - TUC's general secretary - said flexible working is not "just a perk, it's a lifeline". 

Mr Nowak said, "That's why this move is a welcome step forward. It makes it harder for employers to turn down requests while giving workers a stronger voice in the process.

"Improving access to flexible working benefits workers, businesses and the economy - whether it's through increasing staff productivity or higher retention."

Source: Wales Online

(Quotes via original reporting)