The IWFM’s policy team has submitted a response to the government consultation on reforming flexible working regulations.
The submission, which follows an engagement exercise with institute members, indicates IWFM support for the Government’s key proposal to make flexible working the default and give employees the right to request flexible working arrangements from their first day in a job. (Existing legislation only allows such requests after six months of service.)
The IWFM’s position is that flexible working can benefit both employees and employers by
- opening up job opportunities
- fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce
- improving staff wellbeing, and
- increasing motivation and productivity.
IWFM believes employers should ‘liaise with their workplace and facilities management teams on issues such as space management and security when considering flexible working requests, highlighting the role of data and technology in making and implementing decisions’.
Members of the IWFM’s People Management and Technology SIGs contributed to the IWFM’s development of its position on these issues. Full details of the IWFM’s policy team response to the consultation, including its position on rejecting an employee’s flexible working request, can be found here.
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