Boom Collaboration has predicted a surge in demand for home working equipment, ahead of major UK employment law changes around working from home (WFH).
From 6th April 2024, new flexible working legislation will enable employees to have more choice over where and when they work, from day one of a new role.
The new regulations, the Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023, will allow all employees to request flexible working options from their first day in a new job. This includes requests for part-time, term-time, flexitime, compressed hours and varied working locations.
Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’, assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application, holding a meeting to discuss the request with the employee and offering an appeal process. An employer can refuse an application if a ‘good business reason’ exists for doing so.
Employers will also be obliged to respond to flexible working requests within two months, compared to the previous three months. Employees can make two statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period, as opposed to one request under previous rules.
Holli Hulett, co-founder, Boom Collaboration, commented: “In many ways the Covid lockdowns were a game-changer which triggered huge demand for video conferencing and a dramatic shift in working patterns. These trends continue to evolve on a global scale.
“This latest UK legislation represents a compelling opportunity for all those working in the industry to engage with their customers and re-evaluate their flexible working needs.”