Formalising flexible working through legislation would be going too far, according to one expert.Flexible working should not be legislated by central government, one expert has said.

Head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses Andrew Cave commented that, while he is a fan of less rigidly structured work time, making a law would lead to the relationships between employers and their staff becoming too formal.

“That changes the dynamic totally, whereby before you had a tight knit team,” he explained, warning that new rules might endanger the balance of a good relationship that had once worked well. 

Mr Cave added that in most cases, bosses and their employees already know if flexible working will be a success for their firm.

Recent research by Credant Technologies found that, of 1,000 people who have office jobs, almost all take smartphones or mobiles overseas on holiday in case they are required to work while on vacation, while nearly half will check their emails every day.

Posted by Colette Paxton