Recommendation 25

HM Government Acknowledged

Flexible / Remote working The Government recognises that there is no ‘one size-fits-all’ approach to flexible working arrangements and that the extent to which remote working is suitable for individuals will depend on personal and organisational circumstances. It is therefore important that any such arrangements are discussed between employers and employees. Flexible working covers a range of working arrangements around the time, place, and hours of work. The offer of flexible working can bring benefits to employers and employees alike: it gives employees much-welcomed choice when looking to balance work and life at home; and helps employers to recruit and retain valued staff members. Having access to a flexible working arrangement can also make work more accessible to under-represented groups, including disabled people. On 23 September 2021, BEIS published a consultation on measures to increase the availability and uptake of flexible working. This delivers on the manifesto commitment to ‘encourage flexible working and consult on making it the default unless employers have good reasons not to’ and is an important part of our drive to build back better after the pandemic, helping people to start and stay in work whatever their personal circumstances. The consultation closes on 1 December. Since the onset of the pandemic, it is true that many more people have been working from home with businesses rapidly adapting to remote working, using new technology and finding new ways of working. We recognise that remote working has created opportunities but has not been a positive experience for everyone. There can be negative consequences for workplace culture, people for whom it is not available and those that it does not suit. That is why we need to learn from our experiences through the pandemic and proceed with care, taking the best of what has worked for businesses and their staff, but recognising the potential pitfalls. 22 Disability employment gap: Government response The Government is also working with the Flexible Working Taskforce – a partnership across business groups, trade unions, charities, and government departments – to help inform the Government’s thinking and support employers as we navigate the impact of Covid-19 on future ways of working. In the short-term, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) – in consultation with the Flexible Working Taskforce – has produced advice on hybrid working, to help employers consider whether this could be an option for their workplace and how to fairly introduce it. Hybrid working is a type of flexible working where an employee splits their time between the workplace and working remotely. The advice covers the existing legal and practical issues associated with this way of working – and includes a section on supporting and managing staff. The Flexible Working Taskforce is also working on developing best practice guidance for employers in this area, which will include advice on inclusion and fairness when making decisions about hybrid working, before moving on to consider how employers are better able to support all forms of flexible working, including short notice requests. HSE – death arising from coronavirus