Make flexible working a legal right, campaigners say

Unions and equal rights campaigners have called on the government to make flexible working a legal right from day one to help defeat discrimination against parents, disabled people, carers and older workers.

Twenty-one organisations, including the TUC, the Fawcett Society, Disability Rights UK and the Equality Trust, joined forces to issue a statement after the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill was given Royal Assent in Parliament on 20 July.

The groups say the government has failed to match its manifesto commitment to “unlock” flexible working because the new law only gives employees a right to request flexible working arrangements but does not impose a duty on employers to provide it.

“Mums, dads, disabled people (including those with long Covid), carers and older workers are just some of the groups more likely to need flexibility to get into work, stay and progress,” says the statement.

“But even with the new legislation, those who need flexibility will be forced to ask what arrangements are available. Many applicants don’t mention flexible working due to justified fears of discrimination or rejection.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said the new law was “a good step”, but agreed that employers “should be required to offer all jobs on a flexible basis”.