Expert: Staff now happier to ask for more flexible hours

The pandemic has given more employees the confidence to ask for flexible working, according to experts.

Flexibility Works, a social business funded and supported by the Scottish Government to encourage organisations to adopt more flexible practices, says it is no longer just parents with childcare concerns who are asking for things like adapted hours or remote working.

Nikki Slowey, director of Flexibility Works, said: “The pandemic forced many of us to work differently and, although it’s been a tough few years, one positive is lots of people have experienced the benefits of working flexibly. So have many employers.

“Flexible working has moved on from just being for parents or people with caring responsibilities. The main reason the majority of people give for working flexibly now in Scotland is for a better work-life balance, followed by health and wellbeing.”

At the height of the pandemic, in April 2020, the Office for National Statistics estimated 46% of employees worked from home at least some of the week. After being able to work around various responsibilities, including caring for new pets, Slowey says the pandemic has changed the way Scots want to work in the future.

She said: “Lockdowns and enforced home-working, or shifting hours around, allowed us to walk the dog, pop to the Post Office or just deal with the washing in and around work, rather than exclusively after work. Many of us have got used to controlling our day the way that works best for our own work and home lives, and we don’t want to give that up.

“Being able to fit work and home life together more harmoniously is not only good for people, there’s a lot of research showing happier, healthier workers are more productive and engaged, which is good for business.”

The Government’s “work from home” order ended on January 31 and, since then, employers have been encouraged to introduce a phased return to office with an emphasis on hybrid working. Last year, a survey conducted by Strathclyde Business School found 78% of employees would prefer to only work in the office for two days or less post-pandemic, while a third said they would prefer not to spend any time in the office.

Although there is more demand for flexible working, Slowey says it has to work for both the employer and employee. “It’s absolutely OK for businesses to say no to requests for flexible working if it really doesn’t work for the company,” she said. “It’s about having an honest conversation and looking for what flexibility, or new ways of working, are possible.

“We hope employers will take the time to listen to, and involve, all workers in conversations about how roles could be done differently.

“People are already starting to vote with their feet, by changing jobs specifically to find more flex. Employers that don’t realise the importance of embracing flexible working risk losing out.”