With the new Government’s proposed New Deal for Working People set to entrench flexible working rights for UK employees, new research highlights the need for businesses to get communications around flexible working rights, or risk damaging employee trust.  

The research, from Europe’s leading HR software company for SMEs, Personio – which surveyed over 2,000 workers and 1,000 HR decision makers in the UK – reveals a clear demand for flexible working. Only just over half (57%) of desk-based workers feel that they have a good work-life balance, and currently, only 45% say they are currently able to work flexibly at times that suit them.  

Personio is calling for businesses to clearly communicate their flexible working policies to employees, acknowledging that flexible working will vary across organisations. Ultimately, decisions on this should be made with the success of the business in mind, but be carefully balanced against the needs and preferences of employees.  

The return-to-office debate is a key aspect of flexible working. Over half (56%) of HR decision makers report that employees have been reluctant to return to the office post pandemic. In fact, 39% desk-based workers say that being forced to return to the office more than three days a week would lead them to quit their job.   

This rises to 49% of all 16-24 year old desk-based employees, suggesting that the youngest employees are the most likely to leave their jobs if flexibility is compromised. Just over half (52%) of 16-24 year olds also believe that going to the office is a waste of their time and money, compared to 46% of all desk-based employees.   

The data suggests a loss of trust over flexible working, with 35% of desk-based employees believing  their company has made false promises regarding flexible working. This could stem from a breakdown in communication between employees and employers when deciding on hybrid working policies. The research found that whilst 74% of HR decision makers say that they consulted employees on changes to their hybrid working policy, 45% of desk-based employees agree.  

Lenke Taylor, Chief People Officer at Personio, said: “While the office does play an important role for face-to-face collaboration and building social connections, flexible working is here to stay. It’s important for businesses to understand that there is no one size fits all approach to flexible working, and this doesn’t only differ between organisations, but also between departments.  As and when new policy decisions are made, it’s critical for businesses to prioritise effective communication with their employees – ensuring they are intentional, clear and consistent above all else.”