In the past year and a half, people worldwide have been adapting to remote work. For many of us, it has become an enjoyable way to work with added flexibility – no surprise then that there’s now much more demand for this type of employment.
Several countries are embracing these changes by altering their laws accordingly, which brings us to today’s discussion: Remote work in the UK.
What Are the Laws Around Remote Work in the UK?
The UK does have laws in place to protect remote workers, such as the need for an employer to limit working hours to just 48 per week. But beyond this, there are no other entitlements to request full-time remote working.
However, everyone in the UK has the legal right to request flexible work from their employer. Writing a formal application (known as a statutory application) after 26 weeks of employment is usually enough to prompt an employer evaluation.
Though not as progressive as other European countries, the tide is turning in favor of more liberal rules for remote work, and businesses should certainly be ready for the changes.
What Are They Doing in Other Countries?
The Netherlands and Ireland lead the way in embracing the remote working revolution, legislating employee rights to request remote working. These countries are experiencing a surge of enthusiasm for work from home and hybrid arrangements.
By introducing this legal protection, The Netherlands ensured responsible employers had to consider requests from employees seriously, providing clear reasons should an application be declined. The Irish government followed suit shortly after, buoyed by similar successful outcomes.
This remote worker revolution has undoubtedly been beneficial, and it appears European nations are taking the necessary steps to increase access to flexible working conditions.
Importance of a Remote Working Policy
Working remotely isn’t just beneficial for your team’s mental and physical health; it also offers other tangible gains.
By getting ahead of the curve and introducing flexible remote work in the UK, employers can tap into improved productivity levels – allowing staff more control over their work-life balance while cutting out those dreaded rush hour commutes.
By allowing hybrid arrangements, many companies have been able to expand the applicant pool for open positions.
Employers can hire workers from all over the country when they provide the option of working from home. This may mean locating the ideal candidate to fill the most recent opening.
The Bottom Line
Although there is no legal right to work remotely in the UK, if your employer can reasonably accommodate your request, they may be open to the idea. For more information regarding global compliance, visit Global People Strategist. The Global People Strategist platform is a time and money-saving software to equip your business with international employment compliance knowledge and valuable tools; schedule a demo today.
