'Stop the witch hunt' against flexible working hours, demand campaigners

Campaigners have come together to demand the end of a "witch hunt" against flexible working.

The TUC, Age UK, Fawcett Society and Pregnant Then Screwed argue that there has been an upsurge in opposition to employees having more flexible work options. They released a unified declaration as the Government gears up to reveal its Employment Rights Bill, which will tackle topics including zero-hours contracts, hire and rehire tactics, and rights to flexible working.

Their statement reads: "It’s time to stop the witch hunt against flexible working. In recent weeks, we have seen relentless scaremongering about how new legislation on flexible working will harm UK businesses and productivity. These warnings couldn’t be further from the truth. Flexible working can bring more people back into the labour market and keep them there."

Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, commented: "Flexible working – and in particular working from home – is being misrepresented to attack the Government’s wider plan to Make Work Pay. Improving access to flexible working will benefit both workers and businesses, whether it’s through increasing staff productivity or higher retention rates."

"When people feel secure and respected at work, they have happier, healthier lives and perform better in their jobs."

Fawcett Society's Jemima Olchawski said: "We have to ask who benefits from parroting the fallacy that flexible working and flexible workers are bad for business – it’s just nonsense. What really holds growth back is rigid, outdated work practices that exclude women, older workers, and those managing health conditions. Offering flexible working options increases the talent pool and enables more people to work."

Meanwhile, single parent families charity Gingerbread's boss Victoria Benson said: "Too many single parents are locked out of the workforce or stuck in jobs beneath their skill level because of old-fashioned, inflexible working patterns. Employers who don’t offer flexible working are missing out on an untapped pool of talent and single parents are missing out on jobs."

"We need to see single parents supported to thrive at work – not just because it’s good for them and their children but because it’s good for employers and our economy too."