Flexible Working

Flexible working for all…

A change in the law on 30 June 2014 means that every employee now has the statutory right to request flexible working after 26 weeks employment service. The new legislation will enable every employee, not just parents and carers, to make one flexible working request in a 12 month period.

“Its another milestone in the changing face of the modern workplace and could signal a big change for employees who want the opportunity to establish their own work-life balance,” explained Sam Holt of Norwich-based accountancy recruitment specialists, Big Sky Additions.

Employees are not obliged to share their personal reasons for the request, although employment advisors suggest that explaining the reasons may allow the employer and the employee to reach an appropriate compromise: “A flexible working request could be made to enable an employee to take up part time study alongside their work or might give a more mature employee the chance to scale down their hours ahead of retirement for example – whatever the reason it’s essential that employers consider such requests in a reasonable manner,” continued Sam.

Employers are permitted to refuse a flexible working request on business grounds for one of the following reasons:

1. The burden of additional costs
2. An inability to reorganise work amongst existing staff
3. An inability to recruit additional staff
4. A detrimental impact on quality
5. A detrimental impact on performance
6. Detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
7. Insufficient work for the periods the employee proposes to work
8. A planned structural change to the business

With access to modern technology facilitating an emerging trend of remote working, an increase in flexible working practices could herald a significant shift in workplace culture: “There is a traditional culture of ‘presenteeism’ in many workplaces but an increase in flexible working could spearhead growth in task- based working instead of time-based work, revolutionizing the workplaces of the future,” concluded Sam.

For further information about accountancy jobs in Norwich contact Sam Holt today :-