The future is flex

Flexible working – where employees are afforded more control of where and when to work – appears to be here to stay. Thanks to the pandemic, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reset the way we work.

Google search for ‘work-life balance’ hit a record high in April 2022 according to Google Trends – workers are looking to their employers to focus on fostering culture and wellbeing.

However a recent report on work trends from Microsoft finds that, when it comes to the location of work, management are struggling to navigate between competing voices. Half of senior leadership is planning to return to full-time office work, whereas over half of workers still wish to work remotely or hybrid – a recent Future Forum Pulse survey finds that fully in-person office workers are not happy.

Companies and policymakers are starting to realise there is a need to adapt to new pattens of working – the ILO and WHO have recently published a technical brief asserting that crucial changes are needed both from policymakers and organisations to enhance the wellbeing, health and safety at work. The report extends to digital rights for workers such as the right to disconnect to protect workers.

And the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has recently concluded a consultation ‘Making flexible working the default’, which proposes the right to flexible working from day one of employment. It also suggests turning the ‘right to request’ into a ‘right to have’, which would remove an employer’s ability to turn down a request for flexible working.

Join this APPG on the Future of Work event to explore key questions when it comes to flexible working, including:

• Is flexible working the future of work?
• What does ‘good’ flexible working look like?
• To what extent does flexible working contribute to the wellbeing and equality of workers?
• What digital rights are needed for the new working era and is a right to flexible working enough?
• What new infrastructures are needed to support flexible working e.g. free childcare, working spaces nearer home etc?
• How can we ensure that those working flexibly are able to progress their careers/are not at a disadvantage of fewer development opportunities?

Chair:

David Davis MP

Confirmed speakers:

Emma Stewart, Development Director, Timewise

Kate Bravery, Global Advisory and Insight Leader, Mercer (Marsh McLennan)

Anna Thomas, Director, Institute for the Future of Work

This hybrid event is being held at the House of Commons, with limited capacity to join in-person, which will be reserved for members of the APPG on the Future of Work in the first instance. The event is open for all to attend via Zoom, and a recording of the session will be available shortly after.