More than two years after the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, working arrangements are continuing to evolve.
During that time, working from home became the norm for many, but as we emerged from the pandemic, the demand for fully remote roles rose 18 per cent in July this year compared to June.
According to Flexa Careers’ Flexible Working Index, and with employers struggling to fill positions, 84 per cent of new vacancies posted on the site were for fully remote jobs, the biggest rise so far this year.
Demand for part-time roles has been consistently high.
The data comes after a previous survey suggested people were still fearful about asking for flexible working when going after a job.
The Business in the Community (BITC) data has revealed that even after two years of remote working, a poll of 2,500 working adults found that 50 per cent said they would be uncomfortable asking to work flexibly when applying for a job, while 43 per cent said there is still a stigma about asking for flexible options.
Flexible working arrangements could include:
The Flexa Careers’ Flexible Working Index, taken between January and July this year, found people’s preference for part-time roles rose by 257 per cent.
Factors affecting this include the cost-of-living crisis and the rising cost of childcare.
The survey found demand for compressed hours, where people work their usual hours in fewer days, fell by 20 per cent in July compared with June.
Four-day week trial
There was also a 14 per cent uplift in preference for a shorter working week compared with May, which coincided with the start of the UK’s four-day week trial in June.
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