The UK government is set to introduce new legislation requiring employers to offer flexible working hours, including the option of a four-day week, to all employees.
Under the proposed changes, employees would still need to work their full hours to receive full pay. However, they would be given the option to compress those hours into a shorter working week. This move is part of a broader effort by the Labour government to enhance worker rights and promote work-life balance.
Currently, UK employees can request flexible hours from the start of their employment. However, employers are not legally required to agree. The Labour government aims to change this by making it mandatory for employers to offer flexible working arrangements from day one, except where it is “not reasonably feasible.”
The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced this autumn following consultations with unions and businesses. The government has emphasized employers will not be forced to implement a four-day workweek or reduce the number of working days unless it is mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Reaction to the Proposed Legislation
Concerns from Business Leaders and Opposition
The proposal has sparked significant concern among business leaders and opposition politicians. They argue the new regulations could impose additional burdens on businesses, potentially harming the UK economy. Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake voiced his opposition, stating that businesses are “petrified” by the plans.
He said:
“Despite warning after warning from industry, [Deputy Prime Minister] Angela Rayner is pressing ahead with her French-style union laws that will make doing business more expensive in the UK.”
Tory leadership hopeful Priti Patel also criticized the plan. She argued it epitomizes the Labour government’s approach of imposing more “burdens, bureaucracy, and red tape” on businesses.
She warned that the proposed changes could have “devastating impacts” on businesses and the broader economy.
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Legal and Industry Perspectives
Employment experts have weighed in on the potential implications of the proposed legislation.
Charlie Thompson, an employment partner at law firm Stewarts, said UK employees already have the right to request flexible working, including a four-day workweek.
However, he suggested that the new law could make it more difficult for employers to refuse such requests.
He said:
“One possibility is for the government to make it more difficult for employers to refuse such requests because at present it is quite easy for them to do so.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade emphasized any changes to employment legislation would be carefully considered and implemented in partnership with businesses.
They said:
“Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around increasing productivity and creating the right conditions for businesses to support sustained economic growth.”
They also said many employers already offer family-friendly conditions to their workers, recognizing the benefits to morale and retention.
The Impact of a Four-Day Workweek
Results from Recent Trials
The push for a four-day workweek is not without precedent. Last year, the largest trial of its kind tested how a four-day week would work across various industries.
The trial, which involved 61 companies, found 89 percent of the participating businesses continued to operate with a four-day workweek a year later.
The study, conducted by the Autonomy think tank, reported every project manager and CEO consulted said the four-day week had a positive impact on their organization.
The success of this trial has fueled the Labour government’s confidence in the potential benefits of flexible working arrangements.
As part of Labour’s “New Deal for Working People,” the government has also promised to implement other worker-friendly measures. This includes banning zero-hour contracts, ending “fire and rehire” practices, and giving workers the “right to switch off” outside of working hours.
The Road Ahead
As the government moves forward with its plans, the proposed legislation will undergo further consultation and refinement.
The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by both employers and employees.
The introduction of flexible working hours, including the possibility of a four-day workweek, could mark a significant shift in the UK’s labor market, with potential ripple effects across various sectors.
While the government remains optimistic about the benefits, the concerns raised by businesses highlight the challenges of implementing such sweeping changes.
