Flexible Working

The far-right continues to make baseless claims against flexible and hybrid working by, many of whom are out-of-touch multi-millionaires who have no knowledge or experience of the matters they pontificate about. 

Flexible working gives employers access to a wider talent pool, supports retention, and enhance productivity. It is also particularly valuable for those with health conditions, caring responsibilities, and for parents with young children who would otherwise struggle to remain in employment. 

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues and I have consistently argued that flexible working should be available to all from day one in a job, with employers required to advertise roles accordingly unless there are significant business reasons why that is not possible. That is what a modern, inclusive labour market looks like. We were also supportive of the recent changes to the Employment Rights Act, which amends the way statutory flexible working requests must be treated. The new “Day 1 Right” to request flexible working, removing the previous 26‑week qualifying period, is a welcome step forward. 

But above all, it is a matter which should be resolved between an employer and staff, not imposed by out-of-touch politicians who are simply seeking scapegoats to distract public attention from the real ills in our society. 

I have always supported measures which help people balance work and life, give employers and employees shared rights to respect best practise, widen access to secure employment, and ensure that those living with ill‑health, caring responsibilities, or long journeys to work are not unfairly disadvantaged.