World of HR: UK’s expanded law for the right to flexible work goes into effect

The UK’s law to expand the right to flexible work went into effect in April, and the government hopes it will help worker morale.

Where in the world? Workers in England, Scotland, and Wales are now allowed to request flexible work accommodations like modified hours or remote work when they start a job under the Employment Rights (Flexible Working) Bill, Women’s Health reported.

The law removes the provision in the original 1996 Employment Rights Act, which required a person to work for a company for six months before they could request flexible work. Furthermore, the number of requests per year a worker is allowed doubled, to two, and workers are no longer required to outline how their flexible accommodations might impact the business.

Employers may still deny the accommodation requests, but they must provide a response within two months.

The law’s expansion was implemented in hopes of creating a more satisfied workforce and improving worker retention.

“There is good evidence that flexible working practices can help recruit and retain staff, particularly those with caring responsibilities, older workers, and those with health conditions,” Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the professional group Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, told Fortune.

While many workers and advocates have welcomed the rule, some employers believe the legislation will cause administrative, logistical, and legal challenges, especially if a request is denied.

Despite the legislation, job postings advertising flexible work options have declined in the UK after 2022, according to Bloomberg. That lack of flexibility could hurt certain workers, James Reed, CEO of his own recruitment firm, told Bloomberg. “It could restrict options for those seeking to balance work with other responsibilities, such as care-giving or long-term health issues,” he said.

Satellite view. Australia, Singapore, and multiple European countries have instituted flexible work regulations in recent years, as surveys have indicated that workers prefer companies that embrace flexibility.

Working parents in the US want and need modified hours and remote work, but hybrid and remote jobs are becoming scarce.

For those who really crave flexibility, we hear the UK is nice this time of year.