A substantial 85% of British SME bosses with HR duties back the ‘right to switch off’.
- Four in five SME leaders support the Employment Rights Bill, seeing it as beneficial.
- The bill suggests changes like flexible work weeks and parental leave from day one.
- Implementation might face delays due to opposition and potential cost concerns.
- Despite support, 63% worry about the bill’s effects on SME workload and costs.
The sentiment among British SME leaders indicates strong backing (85%) for granting employees the ‘right to switch off’ from work communications after hours, including weekends. This aligns with the upcoming Employment Rights Bill which promises to enhance work-life balance for employees. However, the bill’s rollout may face delays as debates intensify over its implications.
Most SME leaders (80%) are in favour of the Employment Rights Bill, anticipating it as a progressive move for staff welfare and organisational benefits. They believe that enabling flexibility from the onset and granting parental leave rights will foster employee satisfaction and improve workplace morale.
Key proposals in the bill revolve around empowering staff with day-one rights to request flexible work arrangements and shortened workweeks. Yet, some reports suggest potential dilution of these measures could occur due to resistance from certain business circles.
SMEs make up a staggering 99.9% of all UK businesses, playing a pivotal role in employment and private sector turnover. The research, conducted by Breathe HR, involved 526 senior leaders from these enterprises, highlighting the variegated reactions towards the bill’s new worker rights initiatives.
While the legislation is expected to benefit employees and productivity, 63% of SME leaders concede that executing the bill could significantly bulk up their workload and operational costs. Fears stem from the perceived regulatory pressure which many smaller enterprises feel ill-equipped to handle effectively.
Overall, the sentiment is positive amongst SME leaders, but practical implementation poses concerns.
