MORE than two million more Brits will be given the legal right to demand to work from home from day one of their new jobs.
Under fresh plans revealed today by ministers, the Business Secretary will give workers the option to repeatedly request flexible working from their employers.
And their bosses will only be able to refuse it if they have a good business reason.
Working from home could become the norm for tens of thousands more people despite staff flocking back to offices after lockdown rules were lifted.
Workers will also be able to ask for job-shares, part-time hours, flexi-time or a phased retirement from the day they start, rather than have to wait 26 weeks at the moment.
Ministers think the changes will boost productivity, improve the work/home life balance, and help parents and disabled Brits to better access opportunities.
Kwasi Kwarteng will also look to boost the number of times an employee can ask for changes to their working patterns, and could force firms to respond to workers faster.
At the moment Brits can only apply for flexible working once a year and HR managers have at least three months to consider their request.
Up to five million unpaid carers across the UK will also be able to take an extra week leave of from work to help look after family members.
Mr Kwarteng said last night as he unveiled the new plans: “Empowering workers to have more say over where and when they work makes for more productive businesses and happier employees.
“It was once considered a ‘nice to have’, but by making requests a day one right, we’re making flexible working part of the DNA of businesses across the country.
“A more engaged and productive workforce, a higher calibre of applicants and better retention rates – the business case for flexible working is compelling.”
