'Policy isn't enough' | Flexible working policies not enough to change workplace practices

New research shows a major reform designed to make flexible working more accessible to all workers in the UK has had limited impact on how employees actually work.

The study, led by researchers from King’s Business School, University College London and City St George's, University of London, analysed over 15,000 employees from the UK Household Longitudinal Study between 2010 and 2020. It examined the effects of the 2014 policy reform, which extended the right to request flexible working from only parents and carers to all employees with at least 26 weeks’ service.