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Flexible and home working

Find information on flexible working, including employment issues relating to parents and carers and working from home/working remotely.
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Latest on flexible and home working

Read our latest features and articles on flexible and home working.
Helping employees through the cost-of-living crisis
  • Article
  • 13 Oct 2023
Many employees are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living situation and the knock-on effects of this at work are cause for concern. How can employers offer their staff practical support?
Prioritising mental health
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
With a reported 56% of accountants suffering with stress and burnout¹, it’s become crucial for businesses to prioritise mental health concerns in order to create a supportive workplace.
Navigating common hybrid working challenges
  • Article
  • 22 Aug 2023
Hybrid working has become part and parcel of the accountancy world, but it has also thrown up some significant workplace challenges. Dr Amanda Jones offers solutions to common conundrums.
Reimagining work in the post-pandemic era
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2023
With hybrid working on the rise, it is more important than ever for organisations to deliver an effective workplace, whether physical or virtual, say Eugenia Anastassiou and Chris Kane.
Managing mental wellbeing in remote teams
  • Article
  • 15 Jun 2023
With one in eight people now working exclusively from home, the director of one fully remote business shares his tips for prioritising wellbeing for remote teams.
Four-day week: what happens after a successful trial?
  • Article
  • 27 Apr 2023
More than 60 companies and almost 3,000 workers recently completed a six-month trial of a four-day working week, on full pay. We spoke to one of the firms that took part.
Why it’s time to ditch the company wellness day
  • Article
  • 13 Apr 2023
Wellness in the workplace is in danger of becoming a tick-box activity, so rather than setting aside a special time for it, we need to build good habits into each working day.
Supporting staff through Ramadan
  • Article
  • 21 Mar 2023
Communication, support and empathy can ensure your Muslim colleagues can celebrate their faith without it impacting their work
Read more

Reports and helpsheets

Exclusive SR72 The aspiring CFO
  • Report
  • 2021
  • PDF (1,950kb)
A practical, realistic, hands-on and immense learning opportunity of all you need to know to become the CFO
Exclusive SR71 The Retail Revolution
  • Report
  • 2021
  • PDF (2,126kb)
Our focused report on retail will detail the vast changes that have been undertaken in this industry since the onset of Covid, and how you can adapt to get to the top
Exclusive Special Report 69: Effective collaboration
  • Report
  • 2020
  • PDF (2,073kb)
Collaboration has been a trendy buzz word in business lexicon for some time now, but, as the pandemic has done with many other ‘nice-to have’ skills, it has now become absolutely necessary to master. With your colleagues, business partners, suppliers and all other stakeholders more than likely working from home, and maybe even across different locations and time zones, effective collaboration is essential
Exclusive Special Report 69 - Effective collaboration
  • Report
  • 2020
Collaboration has been a trendy buzz word in business lexicon for some time now, but, as the pandemic has done with many other ‘nice-to-have’ skills, it has now become absolutely necessary to master. With your colleagues, business partners, suppliers and all other stakeholders more than likely working from home, and maybe even across different locations and time zones, effective collaboration is essential.
Exclusive Special Report 68: Commercial Insight
  • Report
  • 2020
  • PDF (1,761kb)
This special report explores how to be more commercial to add value and generate profit for your firm.
Exclusive Special Report 64: Managing People
  • Report
  • 2019
  • PDF (1,487kb)
Managing people is one of the most important skills needed to successfully navigate your way to the top of the corporate ladder. This report provides practical tips and advice on topics such as team management, dealing with difficult people and the effect of technology on recruitment.
Flexible working
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2017
More and more people are requesting flexible working as a way to bring about better work/life balance. Flexible working is not about working less but rather having greater control to get work done more effectively. This page offers guidance on how to request flexible working and how to make it work for you and your employer.
Exclusive Special Report 52: People and skills
  • Report
  • 2016
  • PDF (4,295kb)
This quarterly report deals with recruiting and retaining the right staff with good practical tips and advice from a variety of specialists.
More reports

Webinars

52 podcast
Cyber security, taxing green travel and public finances
  • Podcast
  • 08 Jun 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast episode, we explore the month’s key developments in accountancy.
ep51
Managing talent in a hybrid world
  • Podcast
  • 25 May 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss best practice in hiring, training and safeguarding talent under hybrid working.
The A-Z of Hybrid and Flexible Working – What are my options?
  • Webinar
  • 24 Jun 2020
A webinar for working parents/those with caring/other responsibilities – or anyone looking for a better work-life balance – returning to the workplace seeking a flexible working arrangement.
More webinars

Legal Alert

Legal Alert is a monthly checklist from Atom Content Marketing highlighting new and pending laws, regulations, codes of practice and rulings that could have an impact on your business.
New consultation: Draft guidance on handling new requests for more predictable hours
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2023
Employers will welcome the opportunity to consider and comment on draft guidance from Acas on handling requests to shift to more predictable working patterns from zero-hours and other workers with unpredictable hours.
New guidance: ICO publishes new guidance on monitoring of workers
  • Article
  • 01 Nov 2023
Employees will welcome new guidance from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to help them comply with UK data protection rules if they monitor workers.
New consultation: ACAS issues draft of revised Code of Practice on flexible working
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
Employers and others now have an opportunity to comment on a draft containing proposed revisions to the Acas Code of Practice on flexible working.
New guidance: Guidance for sponsors of non-UK employees updated to cover remote working
  • Article
  • 01 Jun 2023
Employers sponsoring non-UK workers under the ‘Worker and Temporary Worker’ routes will welcome updates to Home Office guidance on their obligations when such workers work remotely, either permanently or on a hybrid basis.
New law: Employers prepare for new zero-hours' worker right to request more predictable hours
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2023
Employers are assessing the likely impact of changes giving zero-hours and other workers with unpredictable hours a new right to request more predictable working patterns, and planning and budgeting accordingly.
New law: Employers prepare for revamp of employees’ flexible working rights
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2023
Employers are preparing for new rules that allow all employees to request flexible working, and not just those who have 26 weeks’ service; simplify the procedure for making a flexible working request; and require employers to discuss alternatives if they are minded to refuse a request.
Disclaimer

These articles from Atom Content Marketing are for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. Atom Content Marketing, expert contributors and ICAEW (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.

All Alerts

eBooks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Flexible working arrangements
  • eBook chapter
  • 2017
  • Barry Cushway
  • Kogan Page
This section of the Handbook looks at the following flexible arrangements: flexible working; Bring-Your-Own-Device; Part-time workers; job-sharing; homeworkers.
Exclusive Flexible working for parents and carers
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Ewan MacIntyre
  • Pearson
This section from the chapter on employment looks at the legal right for employees to apply for flexible working.
Exclusive Get the best from a career break: how to make the most from your time away from the office
  • eBook
  • 2005
  • Bloomsbury
  • Bloomsbury
How to exploit the opportunities available from career breaks, including the pros and cons of career breaks, the options available, personal finances and flexible working.
Exclusive Maternity/paternity rights, Adoption leave and pay, flexible working for parents and carers
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Ewan McIntyre
  • Pearson
These sections of the chapter on employment law cover the rights of working parents including maternity and paternity leave and pay; shared parental leave and pay; adoption leave and pay, flexible working for carers and parents; time off for dependents; and the right to return to work after maternity leave.
Exclusive Work well from home: how to run a successful home office
  • eBook
  • 2005
  • A & C Black
  • Bloomsbury
Guide to the tools and practices required for effective working from home.
Exclusive Working hours and holidays
  • eBook chapter
  • 2017
  • Barry Cushway
  • Kogan Page
This chapter looks at the Working Time Regulations 1998; annual holidays; parental leave; Sunday working; the employment of schoolchildren; and flexible working.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

More HR eBooks

Business press

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive How to keep remote workers connected to company culture
  • Article
  • 09 Nov 2023
  • Matthew Finnegan
Companies that don't proactively move to keep remote employees aligned with corporate goals and culture run the risk of turning them into 'gig' workers. The article covers steps businesses can take to ensure that remote workers are better aligned with company goals, culture and their colleagues.
Exclusive Leading remote or hybrid teams
  • Article
  • 01 Nov 2023
  • David J.Elrod
Leaders need to take special care to communicate effectively with remote or hybrid team members, says David J.Elrod. The article runs through useful methods of communication and emphasises the need to provide clarity on strategic plans and priorities and give regular feedback.
Exclusive JPMorgan exec says 'Wall Street 2.0' will be better for women
  • Article
  • 04 Oct 2023
  • Kyle Campbell
Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of asset and wealth management at JPMorgan, delivered a keynote speech reflecting on her career in finance at American Banker's 'Most Powerful Women in Banking' Conference 2023. The article gives quotes from her talk, which discussed the advantages of remote working for women in the workplace, as well as the importance of being curious and becoming a subject matter expert.
Exclusive Return-to-office is a $1.3 trillion problem few have figured out
  • Article
  • 04 Sep 2023
  • Matthew Boyle
In these post-pandemic times, companies are still working out how to adapt to lasting changes to corporate working life. Stark differences have emerged across continents and cultures, with Asian and European workers largely returning to offices at a faster pace than their counterparts in the Americas. However, European working practices vary widely - the UK has one of the highest rates of remote work, and France one of the lowest. The disparities within countries and cities have upended the commercial real estate market, leading to a debt crisis among some landlords.
Exclusive The great compromise
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
  • Theresa Aogvino
The pandemic is over, and more employers are requesting - or requiring - that employees return to the office. How's that going? Well, it depends on who you ask. The article looks at the evidence using survey data on the opinions of both returning workers and HR professionals.
Exclusive How the FIRE movement keeps burning in a tough economy
  • Article
  • 29 Aug 2023
  • Nathan Place
Even in a challenging economy, millions of Americans still strive for FIRE - 'financial independence, retire early'. But to keep their dream alive, they've had to change it. Instead of the early retirement part of FIRE, many are focusing on more flexible work arrangements that allow time for home life and hobbies.
Exclusive Return to office may reverse UK women's gains on working hours
  • Article
  • 13 Aug 2023
  • Lucy White
A push to return more British workers into the office risks compromising a surge in the hours that women spend on the job, reversing one of the few positive trends for the economy. Research has suggested women are bearing the brunt of Britain's inflation crisis; it's possible this could be causing many to take on overtime or second jobs to help pay the bills.
Exclusive The world's empty office buildings have become a debt time bomb
  • Article
  • 23 Jun 2023
  • John Gittelsohn, Shawna Kwan, Jack Sidders, Natalie Wong
Commercial real estate owners and lenders worldwide are grappling with changes in how people work and shop, due to the post-pandemic increase in working from home. Meanwhile, higher interest rates are making it more expensive to buy or refinance buildings. When commercial real estate loan payments are due, owners may prefer to default rather than borrow again to pay the bill.
More articles

Find more articles

Online magazines

Below we set out a selection of online journals on human resources management, some of which are available only to ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. Licensed online journal titles (marked 'Exclusive') are subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive Employee Benefit News
  • Arizent
Bimonthly magazine providing news and analysis around employee benefits, human resources and workplace culture.
Employee Benefits
  • DVV Media HR Group Ltd.
Online magazine covering developments around various kinds of employee benefits, including pensions, health insurance, and company cars.
Exclusive HR Magazine
  • Society for Human Resource Management
Quarterly US-based journal containing news and analysis aimed at human resource management professionals.
Exclusive HR Specialist
  • Business Management Daily
Monthly bulletin providing practical advice on various human resources issues, from a US perspective.
Exclusive Human Resources Magazine
  • Human Resources Institute of New Zealand
Magazine from Human Resources New Zealand, covering various aspects of the management and development of human resources. Includes news, opinion, case studies and interviews.
Personnel Today
  • DVV Media International
News resource for HR professionals. Its website includes an archive of articles published since January 2000.
Training Journal
  • Political Holdings Limited
Online magazine for the UK's training and learning and development industry. Until 2020 it was a print magazine; the Library provides online access to issues published between 2008 and 2020 via its premium databases.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on flexible and home working. Use the links below to see what we have available to request in our Library catalogue (Libcat).

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

External resources - Acas guidance

Advice, guidance and practical resources on a wide variety of recruitment topics for both employers and employees, produced by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, Acas. Acas is the employment relations service for England, Scotland and Wales offering practical, independent and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives.
Acas Code of Practice on flexible working requests
  • Website
The Acas Code of Practice on making and responding to flexible working requests.
Acas guide to flexible working and work-life balance
  • Website
Acas guide outlining important considerations for employers of all sizes when implementing flexible working practices.
Acas: Working from home and hybrid working
  • Website

Guidance highlighting both employer and employee responsibilities. Topics covered include: requests for home and hybrid working; health, safety and wellbeing when working at home; managing staff who work at home; creating a suitable policy (including a template flexible working policy).

Beyond hybrid: the current state of flexible working
  • Website
Acas discussion paper analysing Acas helpline calls to look at the current perspectives and challenges people face at work around flexible working.
Business support: managing in difficult times
  • Website
Information from Acas on how they can help businesses by providing free expert advice on employment law and workplace best practice. Acas can advise on workplace issues, including resolving disputes, improving employee relations and productivity and processes for making the most of hybrid working, flexible working or homeworking arrangements.
Flexible working policy template
  • Website
What to include in a flexible working policy, including how to handle flexible working requests. Free to download and use.
Flexible working requests: Acas video
  • Website
Acas short video answering commonly asked questions by employers and employees regarding flexible working.
Managing-staff who work from home
  • Website
Acas guidance on how managers can support staff, manage and monitor performance, and keep in touch.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Flexible working guidance

Carers UK
  • Website
  • Carers UK
Information, factsheets and advice on carers' rights. Carers UK campaigns 'for a better recognition of the true value of carers' contribution to society'
Effective hybrid working: practical guidance
  • Website
Guidance commissioned by the CIPD on behalf of the Flexible Working taskforce
Effective hybrid working: practical guidance
  • Website
The CIPD has jointly produced practical guidance to support effective hybrid working as part of its involvement in the Flexible Working Taskforce.
Flexible working
  • Website
  • HM Government
Government guidance on types of flexible working, asking for flexible working ('making a statutory application') and the appeals process if your employer turns down the request.
Flexible working
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
CIPD guidance and other resources on flexible working, including: helpsheets on flexible working practices; Q and As; podcasts; and reports on the business case for flexible working. Registration required to access content.
Flexible working: how to create and champion a flexible culture
  • Website
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
EHRC guidance on flexible working, with key facts for employers, case studies and a video outlining the business case for flexible working.
Forever flex: making flexible working work beyond a crisis
  • Website
  • Flex Appeal
The research funded by Sir Robert McAalpine, is a study of real life success stories and evidence based advice and provides examples of how flexible working can be managed successfully across all sectors of industry, resulting in a happier and more efficient workforce.
Good work: the Taylor review of modern working practices
  • Website
  • Matthew Taylor
An independent review of modern working practices by Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society of Arts.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Home working guidance

Data protection and working from home
  • Website
  • Information Commissioner's Office
ICO guidance for remaining compliant with data protection laws when you’re working from home.
Employees who work from home
  • Website
  • Atom Content Marketing
Law Donut overview of managing employees who work from home
Employees working from home
  • Website
  • NI Business Info
Guidance for employees and managers on home working from Invest Northern Ireland
Future of global mobility
  • Website
Survey by Deloitte of a group of global mobility, reward, payroll and HR leaders on the future of global mobility. Explores trends including remote working and digitisation and the impact on international assignments.
Getting the most from remote working
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Series of guidance from the CIPD and home working for managers and employees.
Home working: preparing your organisation and staff
  • Website
  • National Cyber Security Centre
NCSC guidance on how to make sure your organisation is prepared for an increase in home working, and advice on spotting coronavirus (COVID-19) scam emails.
Managing home workers, remote workers and lone workers
  • Website
  • Law Donut
Guidance on managing home workers from the Law Donut. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.
Planning for hybrid working
  • Website
CIPD guidance on how organisations can begin to prepare for a return to the workplace and a longer term move to hybrid working where part of the time is spent in the office and part working-from-home.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

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