The overwhelming majority of staff say versatile working is vital when contemplating a job, in keeping with new analysis from office advisory physique Acas. The YouGov survey discovered that 78 p.c of staff thought of versatile working vital, in contrast with 20 p.c who stated it was not. The findings come forward of modifications to versatile working guidelines underneath the Employment Rights Act 2025. Below the brand new provisions, employers contemplating turning down a versatile working request will likely be required to seek the advice of the worker earlier than reaching a choice, and can solely be capable to reject the request the place it’s affordable to take action.
Acas has now launched a session on revisions to its Code of Apply on requests for versatile working, meant to replicate the modifications within the regulation and supply sensible steerage for employers and staff. Acas Chair Baroness Maggie Jones stated the analysis confirmed that versatile working remained an vital consideration for workers and argued that, when applied efficiently, it may benefit employers, staff and the broader financial system. “Acas’s up to date Code will assist employers and staff perceive the brand new regulation, attain truthful and efficient choices and stop disputes,” she stated. “We’re eager to get views on whether or not it’s clear and sensible.”
The revised Code units out how and when employers ought to seek the advice of staff and encourages each events to contemplate what types of flexibility could also be doable. It’s based mostly round 4 rules: making choices based mostly on proof; adapting the place doable to accommodate a request; working collectively to establish options; and performing transparently and constantly.
Acas says the rules are meant to use to organisations of all sizes and sectors, though their utility will rely on components together with an employer’s assets, dimension and operational necessities. The Code is designed to encourage a good and affordable course of quite than prescribe a selected consequence in each office.
Minister for the Way forward for Work Kate Dearden stated versatile working was not merely a query of the place or when someone labored, however might additionally have an effect on employers’ means to retain workers. “For companies it’s an vital a part of retaining expertise and constructing a stronger workforce, and for staff the proper flexibility will be the distinction between staying in a job or leaving it,” she stated.
Timewise CEO Clare McNeil stated the organisation’s work steered there was scope for higher flexibility even in shift- and site-based roles. “The organisations that get forward of this stand to achieve essentially the most by higher retention, higher wellbeing and 1000’s extra folks in a position to entry and keep in work,” she stated.
The modifications to the regulation governing statutory versatile working requests are anticipated to come back into power in autumn 2027, whereas Acas is at the moment consulting on the revised Code of Apply. The session is meant to ascertain whether or not the brand new steerage is obvious and sensible for employers and staff forward of the modifications taking impact.
