Research overview
Workplaces are experiencing rapid transformational change. Flexible working is key to future success, attracting and retaining a talented workforce and a competitive edge, and enabling people with caring responsibilities or other significant commitments to juggle the competing demands of work and their personal lives and well-being.
The UK government has recently announced plans to give full time workers the right to request a four-day work week from day 1. The W20 UK Future of Flexible Work Report covers the current flexible working landscape, responding to new flexible working legislation, and gives recommendations for government, employers and employees on “dancing the tango with flexible work” to achieve a successful outcome for all with better work-life balance.
Work-life balance and flexible working play a pivotal role in empowering women to fully engage in the workforce while managing care and domestic responsibilities. Women often bear a disproportionate responsibility for caregiving and domestic duties and flexible work options can enable them to navigate their personal and work roles more seamlessly. This report highlights the significance of accommodating diverse needs through flexible working practices, particularly for women juggling multiple responsibilities.
By highlighting best practices among employers who have embraced flexible work, the report emphasises the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that consider employee well-being as synonymous with productivity. By offering flexibility in work arrangements, organisations can not only attract and retain valuable talent but also foster a culture of equality and support, ultimately contributing to better employee outcomes and greater gender parity in the workforce.
This research was conducted by Ann-Maree Morrison and Barbara Cleary (W20 UK Co-Chairs).
For further discussion or potential collaboration, please contact Ann-Maree Morrison MBE.