Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

<-- Back to proposed bills

Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill - Sitting 1

07 December 2022

Proposing MP
Tulip Siddiq Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses amendments to the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 to allow employees to request flexible working from their first day of employment. Tulip Siddiq discusses the Employment Relations Bill's provisions for flexible working, particularly addressing concerns about statistics on request approval rates and seeking clarity on the government's commitment to make flexible working a day-one right. The statement discusses changes to the right to request flexible working under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill. The statement discusses the importance of flexible working rights, particularly for carers, disabled individuals, parents, and those seeking to balance work with education or personal wellbeing. The statement discusses the Employment Relations Bill, which aims to enshrine flexible working rights in law from day one of employment. The statement discusses the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill which aims to improve access to flexible working arrangements. The statement is about the Employment Relations Bill - specifically clause 2, which aims to support people getting back into work.

Action Requested

The MP seeks clarification on when secondary legislation will be introduced to implement this right and whether workers can know about and request flexible working arrangements before starting a job. She also asks if employers can reject requests for no valid reason and what measures the Government plans to address this issue.

Key Facts

  • The amendment aims to remove the 26-week qualifying period for requesting flexible working.
  • A survey by Timewise found that only three in ten advertised jobs offer any form of flexible working despite high support among respondents.
  • One in three requests for flexible working arrangements are turned down without good reason.
  • Government consulted on removing the existing 26-week qualifying period for flexible working requests.
  • The right to request flexible working will be given to all employees from day one of employment.
  • According to research, 83% of flexible working requests are granted and fewer than one in ten are refused.
  • The legislation is expected to pass through both Houses next year and take effect in 2024.
  • The right to request flexible working was introduced in 2003.
  • The legislation has been amended most recently as part of the Children and Families Act 2014.
  • Clause 1 amends sections 80F and 80G of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
  • Employers must now consult with employees before refusing a flexible working request.
  • Only 52.3% of disabled people are employed compared with 82% of the general population.
  • Some 36% of adults work from home at least one day a week, but 70% want that opportunity.
  • In York, women in particular are significantly underemployed.
  • The University of Hull’s remote working report found that women and people aged 35 to 44 benefited most from flexible working.
  • The Employment Relations Bill will tackle employment gaps for carers, women, people with disabilities, and low earners.
  • There is a chronic shortage of workers in many areas that this Bill aims to address by bringing more people back into the workplace.
  • The speaker mentions a year since the consultation closed on the flexible working rights legislation.
  • The Government will introduce secondary legislation to make the right to request flexible working a day one right.
  • The British Chambers of Commerce commented positively on the response from the business community.
  • According to research, the top priority for those considering returning to work is flexible working.
  • The Bill will complete its passage through both Houses in 2023 and take effect in 2024.
  • The Bill is expected to help millions of people get back into work.
  • The Bill has clauses that have been ordered to stand part of the Bill, indicating progress through parliamentary stages.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy