Flexible working rights for all - could they backfire?

[BrilloPad]

BBC News - Flexible working rights for all - could they backfire?

Why should anyone want to set up shop in the UK? You get none of this red tape nonsens in Asia. We are being crucified.

[BrilloPad]

No multiple choice or public option selected!

[original PM]

Unless you actually have to be at work - e.g. to see customer or to move boxes why on earth would there be a need to travel x amount of miles each day just so you can sit on the office on the phone to people across the country?

That can be done from home.

The only red tape actually comes from people who are trying to restrict it and have draconian 9-5 rigid working rules.

[CloudWalker]

This wont end well.

I can imagine the problems.

a: Wants to work from home as cant be arsed to get up and travel in.
b: Wants to come in late and and stay late (missing morning briefing) and late partake in night web surfing.
c: Wants to only do 4 days a week and boss has to find some to fill the gap for just one day.

[tractor]

...

Unless you actually have to be at work - e.g. to see customer or to move boxes why on earth would there be a need to travel x amount of miles each day just so you can sit on the office on the phone to people across the country?

That can be done from home.

The only red tape actually comes from people who are trying to restrict it and have draconian 9-5 rigid working rules.

It's about time this model was given some serious weight by the government.

[VectraMan]

We now have the right to ask at least once a year, not that anybody was forbidden from asking before. And if it's turned down and the employee is determined they can go to a tribunal where the employer has to have a "good business reason" to justify it.

"Good business reason" could be anything. How about IT security? Will employers be forced to allow VPN and/or provide laptops for people to work at home - don't think so. So assuming an employee needs to use a computer, which nearly everybody does, then all the employer needs to say is "security" and that's that.

For flexible hours, assuming the employee needs to be onsite then it's a case of access, or will they be forced to give every junior a set of keys?

Nothing to see here. Employers that can be flexible probably are already, and it changes little for those that can't or won't.

[speling bee]

BBC News - Flexible working rights for all - could they backfire?

Why should anyone want to set up shop in the UK? You get none of this red tape nonsens in Asia. We are being crucified.

In the knowledge that one is establishing a business in a jurisdiction governed by the rule of law, where one is free from such egregious actions as retrospective taxation legislation.

[northernladuk]

All this gumpf about us being global and connected meaning we can work from home is all very good but is forgetting one major factor. The people. It's hard enough managing lazy bastards in the office let alone letting them WFH. IMO this needs to be earned not given freely. I would guess there are many people that are not set up to work properly at home and definitely don't have the mind set so it's not going to work.

I am waiting for people to say they want to go part time and then offer Mon, Weds and Friday as an option. Poor bloody company is going to be royally ****ed. Can't say no but that arrangement is nigh on useless to them.

[NotAllThere]

Of course it could backfire. Anything could. The question really is whether it's enough of a good idea that it's worth the risk.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Bad news. Whether it has any impact or not, it's still a bad sign of things to come.