Join Elizabeth Willets from Investing in Women in this live workshop with Tom Stenner-Evans, a partner at the Thrive law firm specialising in HR and Employment law. Elizabeth and Tom discuss your rights to flexible working in the UK and what flexible working looks like now, after many of us have experienced working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tom answers common questions about flexible working, from how to make a request to the reasons why a request might be denied. He gives great advice regarding how to approach flexible working and what it might look like in different roles and industries.
Looking at the other side of the argument, Tom and Elizabeth explore flexible working from the employer’s perspective, touching on its impact on targets, workplace collaboration, and talent retention. At the end of the workshop, Tom outlines what flexible working might look like in the future, with the possible removal of the six-month minimum time period to earn the right to make a flexible working request.
This engaging workshop is packed with useful advice and insights into flexible working. It’s essential viewing if you want to learn about your legal right to flexible working, whether you have childcare responsibilities, are considering pursuing further education alongside your job, or just want more freedom and control over your working life.
Unsure what type of flexible working arrangement is right for you? Then check out our guide to the different types of flexible working arrangements available to decide which one is right for you.
Timestamps
[1:30] Why are we talking about flexible working?
[3:00] The legal definition of flexible working in the UK
[4:48] Who’s eligible for flexible working?
[8:08] A question from viewer David De Castro: “What about international remote work?”
[11:32] How do you request flexible working? Tips from Tom on how to make your request as easy as possible to accommodate
[13:50] The eight reasons that an employer could use to deny a flexible working request
[16:30] The different ways that these eight reasons could be interpreted
[18:37] The timeframe set out by law in which a workplace has to respond to a flexible working request
[20:17] How to handle a trial period of flexible working
[22:27] A tip from Tom to employers granting a flexible working trial period to an employee
[24:02] How can you ensure that a flexible working period will be successful?
[27:06] “It all comes down to good quality communication and proactivity from both parties”
[28:44] Why are some employers so reluctant to embrace flexible working? Tom dives into concerns around trust, lower sales targets and how flexible working can impact smaller businesses
[34:03] A question from Claire on LinkedIn: Wouldn’t progressive employers embrace the opportunity to raise employee headcount by employing more part-time employees?
[36:10] Elizabeth’s experience of part-time workers in recruitment and what the four-day working week model might mean for productivity
[41:03] The other side of the argument: Do people just joining the workforce miss out on opportunities if senior staff members are all remote or part-time?
[45:11] Flexible employers can attract and retain talent
[46:56] A question from Claire on LinkedIn: What feedback has Tom’s company had from employees working from home who don’t have a dedicated office space?
[49:53] A question from Emmanuel on LinkedIn: Are employers obligated to consider flexible working for employees with childcare responsibilities?
[52:33] Do employees working from home need to inform their employer when they leave the house?
[54:46] A comment from a paralegal at Thrive who’s happy working from home
[56:40] What’s next for flexible working?
Links
Investing in Women flexible working recruitment site and job board
Investing in Women on Instagram
Investing in Women on LinkedIn
Investing in Women on Facebook
Investing in Women on Pinterest
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