Home Directory Small Firms Association Small Firms note the publishing of Right to Request remote work legislation.

Small Firms note the publishing of Right to Request remote work legislation.

Small Firms Director, Sven Spollen-Behrens said

“The legislation published by Government today is significant in the way workplaces will function in the years ahead, but the right to request remote work must be balanced by the fundamental need of a business to operate effectively. 

“Many small businesses are already offering remote working to their teams, according to the SFA Business Sentiment Survey carried out in Quarter 4 of 2021. Up to 30% of small businesses have said that they will continue with in an online model, with 21% offering days in the business and days remotely.

“Employers recognise the changing nature of work and would have preferred a non-statutory mechanism to ensure this. Businesses are concerned with the element of the General Scheme where any business regardless of size must have a remote working policy. The SFA has long raised the issue of the regulatory burden on small businesses, and this is another facet of this. As the General Scheme of the bill has now been published, Government must continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that any legislation passed is equitable and workable.”

28/01/2022