Will Employees Really Be Given The Right To Work From Home Forever?

In the last few weeks the press has reported that employees are to be given the legal right to work from home forever.  How realistic is this? In this briefing, we explain the proposals for reforming flexible working laws and what this might mean for employers.

It's true to say that most workers have indicated an appetite for some degree of permanent homeworking, even when the pandemic has passed.  A survey of staff working at 500 financial services firms in the City found that 70% felt that homeworking through the pandemic was a positive experience since it allowed them to avoid the daily commute and gave them more time for leisure pursuits and family.  Another survey of working parents found that 15% wanted to continue with permanent homeworking and 55% wanted a hybrid form of working but with no more than three days in the office per week.