Unions calling for action on flexible working

Increased homeworking could create a new ‘class divide’ as people who cannot work do so have little access to flexible working, unions are warning.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said nine out of 10 people who worked from home during the pandemic want to continue doing their job remotely – at least some of the time – but their is also strong demand for other forms of flexible working such as control over working hours.

A TUC survey of more than 2,000 workers found people in higher-paid occupations are more likely to have worked from home during the pandemic and those who cannot work from home are significantly more likely to be denied flexible working options by employers after the pandemic.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "As the UK gets back to normal, lots of workers will want to keep the flexibility of working from home, but no-one should miss out on flexible working options that help them do their job and manage their other responsibilities.

"The Government must bring in a new right to flexible working for every worker, in every job.

"This emerging class divide in access to flexible working is no way to thank those workers who carried on doing their job in workplaces throughout the pandemic.”

A Business Department spokesman said: "We are wholeheartedly committed to protecting and enhancing workers' rights. Flexible working is about much more than working from home, and is crucial to opening up employment opportunities to people regardless of their gender, age, disability or location."