Report finds unequal flexible working arrangements across the UK

Looking at flexible working arrangements across the UK, latest data finds that workers in South East England have the best flexible working options.

The CIPD analysis of official data from the ONS Labour Force Survey has ranked UK nations and regions from the most to the least flexible in terms of working arrangements.

South East England was closely followed by the East of England, while workers in Yorkshire and Humber are least likely to have flexibility in their roles.

The figures were compiled by looking at three types of flexible working:

• Flexibility over when someone works (flexible hours – including flexi-time, annualised hours, term-time working, job share, four-and-a-half-day week, zero hours contract)
• Flexibility over where someone works (those who work from home)
• Informal flexibility (how start/end time is determined, ability to take a couple of hours off during the working day to deal with personal matters, able to take leave at short notice, frequency of unforeseen work demands or available for work in free time).

Currently, employees must have worked for an employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible for flexible working, however, as a result of these findings, the CIPD is calling for organisations and the government to make this a right for all staff from day-one of employment.

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, commented, “Employers should think creatively about the flexibility they can provide to those that need to be in the physical workplace as well as those who can work remotely, ensuring everyone has fairness of opportunity. Having a wide range of flexible options is necessary to support the whole workforce and we want to see an increase in the uptake of all forms of flexible working, regardless of the type of work someone does or the region they’re in.

“An increase in the use of different arrangements, such as flexi-time, compressed hours or job shares will empower people to have greater control and flexibility in their working life. It will also help organisations to foster more diverse and inclusive workplaces and can improve wellbeing and productivity. The CIPD is calling for the right to request flexible working from day one, so everyone can benefit from having more choice and a say in when and how they work.”

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