Alyn Smith has shown his support by co-sponsoring a Bill that aims to give workers the right to flexible working from the first day of employment except in exceptional circumstances. It also aims to require employers to offer flexible working arrangements in employment contracts and advertise the available types of such flexibility in vacancy notices.
Flexible working gives workers more choice over how, when and where they work and includes part-time work, compressed hours, term-time only work, flexi-time, predictable hours and remote working. Genuine flexible work has benefits for working people and employers. TUC analysis shows that despite the current right to request flexible working being in place since 2014, employees doing no form of flexible working has only changed marginally, from 74% in 2013 to 70% in 2020.
Alyn Smith MP said:
‘This Bill is an opportunity for the Government to modernise working practices. The pandemic has shown a different way of working is possible, and indeed feasible, for many businesses across Scotland. It’s important for legislation to keep pace with these economic developments, and ensure that workers’ rights are protected.
‘A great deal of people would like to continue to work from home as we come out of this crisis. I look forward to having a constructive cross-party conversation as to how best to ensure these rights are secured.’
Notes:
Further information on the Ten Minute Rule Bill as presented by Tulip Siddiq MP:
