There has been a steep rise in the number of employees working flexibly during lockdown, alongside this there has also been a decline in stigma around flexible working during this period.
A survey by the University of Kent and Birmingham University asked over 1,000 employed and self-employed workers about working from home during the pandemic and how it has influenced a range of work-life issues.
76% of mothers and 73% of fathers to suggest they would like to work more flexibly in future so they can spend more time with their children.
Government recommendations
- Make Flexible Working a day one entitlement… and … remove the stigma associated with using it.
- Consider mandatory publishing within Gender Pay Gap (GPG) reporting … to outline whether or not they advertise all jobs as open to Flexible Working and whether it is available from day one and to include a question … whether companies have advertised positions as available for Flexible Working.
- Launch a communication exercise to promote Flexible Working particularly to fathers … and help address the perceived barriers and consequences.
- Look at ways to support organisations to deal with wellbeing and mental health issues cause by the COVID-19 lockdown and long-term homeworking.
PAYadvice.UK 4/8/2020
