PRESS RELEASE: Is YOUR organisation up to speed with the new Employment Relations (Flexible Working) bill?

• Employers have a duty to be compliant with the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill by Saturday 6 April, 2024. This bill gives workers the right to ask for flexible working on Day One in a new job, amongst other things.
  
  
• A study of 4,001 people by Timewise found that HALF of UK workers (49 per cent)
  would consider asking for a flexible pattern¹, using the Day One Right to Request in a new job.
  
  
• Younger workers, parents, carers and people from minority ethnic groups are amongst the MOST likely to use the new rights to ask for flexible working on Day One.
  
  
• How can organisations gauge how ready they are for the change? Timewise is offering HR, Talent and Inclusion teams a free checklist and flexible hiring guide, available here: https://timewise.co.uk/consultancy-services/day-one-flex-ready/

Wednesday 20 March, 2024: 1 in 2 UK workers (49 per cent)¹ say they will consider asking for a flexible pattern from Day One in a new job.

Employers have until Saturday 6 April, 2024, to get up to speed with the changes introduced by the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill.

Social enterprise and flexible working experts Timewise have released a simple checklist and flexible hiring guide, for HR, Talent and Inclusion teams to be able to assess how ready they are for the changes.

Register your details here to access both: https://timewise.co.uk/consultancy-services/day-one-flex-ready/

Timewise interviewed 4,001 UK workers², to assess the potential impact of Day One Flex rights, which all UK workers gain via the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill on Saturday 6 April, 2024.

The study suggests more than a quarter of UK workers are already aware of the legislation (29 per cent)³, and younger workers, parents, carers and people from minority ethnic groups are the MOST likely to use the new rights to ask for flexible working on Day One.

The data found a strong connection between ethnicity and the likelihood of taking-up the new rights: 61 per cent of workers from Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnic backgrounds said they would consider making a request from Day One in a new job compared to 48 per cent of workers from a White background. And, among those from Black minority backgrounds, the interest in the rights grows even stronger – with 71% per cent expressing an interest in leveraging the new legislation in a new employment setting⁴.

Timewise says this difference may be indicative of workers from Black and other ethnic minorities feeling reluctant to speak to existing bosses about adjusting their working patterns. More than a third (37%) of workers from Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnic backgrounds backgrounds say they would NOT feel comfortable talking to their current employers about changing their working pattern. Only 28% of workers from a White background feel the same⁵.

Claire Campbell, CEO of Timewise says: “Hiring is changing. A lot of businesses aren’t aware of the changes coming and many aren’t equipped to deal with it just yet. The new legislation will help job hunters feel entitled to ask about flexible working options and requests could start coming thick and fast. Our new tools will help those responsible for HR processes within their businesses to assess ‘where they are at’ and get some starter guidance. Flexible working and diversity and inclusion are interwoven, and businesses that make the most of the opportunity could really open some doors to new and exciting talent.”

ENDS

For more information, interviews or case studies please contact Jo Burkill
jo.burkill@timewise.co.uk / 07960 472097

Notes to editors

1. Respondents were asked: “Would you consider taking advantage of the new day one right to request if you applied for a new role?”

49% said yes
30% said not sure
21% said no

2. About the research: Timewise instructed Opinium to undertake the fieldwork. 4,001 adults in work were interviewed online between 27 March and 9 April 2023. The data is weighted to be nationally representative of the UK working population.

3. Respondents were asked if they had heard of the new flexible working rights:

12% said yes and knew what they were about
17% said yes, but were not sure what they were about (net 29% for ‘yes’)
65% said no
7% said not sure

4. Respondents were asked: would you consider taking advantage of the new day one right to request if you applied for a new role?

Respondents of a White ethnic background: 48% said yes
Respondents with Mixed or Multiple ethnic backgrounds: 69% said yes
Respondents of a Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic background: 71% said yes
Respondents of Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic background: 60% said yes
Ethnic minorities: 61% agreed

5. Respondents (excluding self-employed) were asked: “To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?” I would not feel comfortable to speak to my employer about changing my working pattern (e.g. having a different start time)

Respondents of a White ethnic background: 28% agreed
Respondents with Mixed or Multiple ethnic backgrounds : 32% agreed
Respondents of a Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic background: 34% agreed
Respondents of Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic background: 39% agreed
Ethnic minorities: 37% agreed