Employee benefits provider Unum UK has introduced the opportunity for its more than 850 staff to request flexible working rights from day one of employment.
This is instead of them having to wait six months to do so as set out under current employment legislation.
Unum will now also allow employees to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period rather than just one a year, as well as commiting to responding to requests within two months as opposed to the current three months. It will also remove the requirement for employees to explain how their flexible working request might affect their employer.
It is introducing these changes ahead of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, which is due to come into effect next year.
Approximately a fifth (18%) of Unum’s workforce currently work flexibly either on a part-time basis or on full-time compressed hours.
The organisation made the decision to implement these changes following its March 2022 research into sandwich generation workers, which found 24% have needed to take time off work to manage caring responsibilities, 43% would like to see their employer improve flexible work arrangements, and 38% of employers offered flexible working hours to help balance work and home responsibilities.
Jane Hulme, HR director at Unum UK, said: “The workplace and the needs of employees are changing rapidly and we are keen to lead the way and reflect the legislative changes before [these] become mandatory. As a responsible employer of choice, Unum recognises that embracing a flexible approach and being amenable will help attract and retain staff. This is crucial given the continued rise in the cost of childcare, which could risk pricing some parents out of employment.”
Unum also offers benefits such as a discretionary bonus, 24/7 health support services including access to a remote GP, income protection, a health cash plan, 27 days of annual leave, and the opportunity to participate in charitable events.